Tributes paid to Irishman (35) who drowned on Great Barrier Reef in Australia

Sean Ryan

An Irishman who lost his life in a drowning accident at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia has been named locally as Sean Keaney (35) from Ballinagh, Co Cavan.

Emergency services found the body of Mr Keaney in the water at Whitehaven Beach at 11am on New Year's Eve.

Mr Keaney had been living in the UK for a number of years and is the third reported drowning at New South Wales beaches in recent days.

A spokesperson for local life-saving crews said it marked "a terrible start" to the new year. Paying tribute to Sean online, his GAA club in London Tara GFC said after transferring from Crosserlough GFC in Cavan to Tara GFC, Sean spent an incredible four years with the club, leaving a lasting impact on everyone he met.

They said they were incredibly lucky to have Sean by their side as they celebrated last year’s and this year’s Championship victories, as well as the All-Britain titles.

The tribute went on to say that Sean was a man always found on the dance floor with a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that could warm your heart.

The club have set up a GoFundMe page to help defray the costs of bringing Sean’s remains home in association with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. As of this afternoon almost €10,000 of the €16,000 has been raised.

Mr Keaney is survived by his mother Bridie, sisters Catriona, Fiona Breda and Katie as well as his brothers Matt, Cathal and Thomas.

His father Charlie passed away a number of years ago. The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family. No funeral arrangements have been made as yet.