Tributes have been paid to a talented young Co Limerick hurler who lost his life in a tragic accident on the Greek island of Ios over the weekend.
The dead man, named locally as Darren Whelan from the parish of Kildimo/Pallaskenry, sustained fatal injuries after falling from a height, sometime between last Saturday night and Sunday morning.
The 23-year-old, who had studied civil engineering at Limerick Institute of Technology, had travelled to the Greek island with friends to celebrate graduating from college.
A Greek police source said local police were investigating the incident but were understood to be treating Mr Whelan’s death as an accident.
Local Independent councillor and barrister Emmett O’Brien, who is a family friend, said his “thoughts and sympathies” were with Mr Whelan’s parents and his two brothers.
“His untimely passing has left utter devastation in the locality of Kildimo/Pallaskenry, he was the life and soul of the hurling team and the social fabric of the community.
‘Lovely gentleman’
“I often socialised with him, he was a lovely gentleman, very friendly, very intelligent, and he had a huge career in front of him.”
Sean Cuddihy, secretary of Kildimo/Pallaskenry GAA club, said everyone at the club was devastated at the news.
“Our focus has been on getting his teammates together and supporting them. He was very versatile, he could play anywhere, and he did,” he said.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is providing consular assistance.