The victim Robert Holohan: Fifth-class schoolboy Robert Holohan was an energetic youngster who loved, football, hurling, soccer and horse riding, writes Carl O'Brien
Eleven-year-old Robert Holohan was remembered yesterday as a "bubbly" and "sports mad" boy who was always the centre of attention.
The fifth-class schoolboy was involved in football, hurling and soccer clubs in the Midleton area, as well as horse riding.
Just under a fortnight ago he received a prized medal for winning the Under 11's East Cork Football Championship with Midleton GAA Club.
"He was a boy who would stand out from the crowd," said Mr Mark Walsh, who coached Robert for the last seven years.
"He was always chatting, eager, a real live wire, and always looking to know when the next game was on. He wanted to be on the pitch as soon as possible.
"One memory of Robert which stands out is during a game of hurling when he got a point, a great point. He wasn't the most prolific of scorers and such was his joy when he got the point that he started jumping up and down, waving around, and making sure everyone had seen it. And he proceeded to do that for the next two minutes," joked Mr Walsh, whose son was also on Robert's team.
Mr Walsh says Robert's teammates have been reacting to news of his disappearance in different ways.
"They're probably at the age where the gravity of it all hasn't sunk in yet, which is probably a good thing. It affects people differently; some have been upset and some have been quiet, but would ask the odd, probing question."
The principal in the school, Mr Seán Ó Floinn, said the fifth-class schoolboy would be sadly missed by his teachers and many school friends.
"Robert was a happy, friendly, bubbly and energetic boy who was well liked by all who knew him.
"He had many interests, and was a keen hurler who loved to be in the presence of animals, especially horses," said Mr Ó Floinn.
As well as playing hurling and football, he also played soccer with Midleton Soccer Club on Sundays and was involved in horse riding at the local club.
"He was a child who was involved in everything. He has super parents, Mark and Majella, and he never wanted for anything," said Mr Ó Floinn.
Robert's mother, Majella, is a well known figure in the community who grew up in the town and worked for several years as a dental nurse.
Her husband, Mark, is a successful builder originally from the Carrigaline area of Cork. The couple have two other children, Harry (8) and Emma (4).