PEOPLE ALL over New Ross are in shock this week at the sudden passing of a teenager from the town.

Shane Cotton (16), from Priory Court, passed away on Sunday in Waterford Regional Hospital after taking ill in the city earlier that day.

A son of Terry Cotton and Patricia (Trisha) Fahey, who are both from New Ross, Mr. Cotton was well known in the town and enjoyed a very large circle of friends.

Outgoing and friendly he was educated at the Good Counsel College and in more recent times had been attending Youthreach in New Ross.

Mr. Cotton’s family connections with the town were very strong and he was a grandson of the late Johnny Fahey who was a well known butcher in area.

A keen sports fan he was involved in St. Michael’s Boxing Club and had also played football in the past.

Cllr. Michael Sheehan, through his role with Youthreach, paid tribute to the teenager when contacted by The Echo.

“He was endeavouring to continue his education and training,” he said.

“He was very popular with staff and students up in Youthreach and the sense of shock here this morning is palpable,” he added.

Cllr. Sheehan said Mr. Cotton was “very sociable” and that fact was highlighted by tributes paid to him on the social media site, Facebook, throughout Sunday evening.

“I knew him from the locality but also through Youthreach,” said Cllr. Sheehan.

“He was very popular here,” he added.

Mr. Cotton had been recognised in the past for some of his project work which he passed as part of his Youthreach programme.

A post-mortem examination on Mr. Cotton’s remains was carried out at Waterford Regional Hospital, however, the cause of death was not known as The Echo went to press.

Mr. Cotton’s funeral mass will take place this morning, Thursday, May 22, at 11 a.m. in St. Mary & St. Michael’s Parish Church, New Ross, with burial afterwards in St. Stephen’s Cemetery.