A young man who died in a drowning tragedy abroad was yesterday named locally as Rory Deegan.
The 22-year-old, from Cullahill in Co Laois, was found unresponsive in a swimming pool in Greece on Sunday.
Mr Deegan is understood to have recently travelled to Greece to work there along with friends for a number of weeks during the summer.
READ MORE: Young Irish man dies in Greece drowning incident
He was a student at Technological University of the Shannon, having previously went to school Colaiste Mhuire Johnstown.
His family are very well-known and run the Centra in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny.
Laois Fine Gael Cllr John King told the Irish Mirror: "His dad runs a supermarket in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny which would only be over the road.
"The family would be a very highly respected family, seriously involved in GAA and local community activities and have been for years.
"They're sound people, close to the community and a warm family. So this is very sad. For a young lad to go out to Greece and for this to happen. I want to extend my sympathy to his dad and all the Deegan family."
Mr Deegan also played for The Harps GAA and scored a goal for the club in a Junior C final win last year.
Cllr James Kelly said: "I know the community is in complete shock and I know in Harps GAA club as well, Rory would have played and his family would have had a proud tradition at the club as well.
"A young man who went out with three or four other friends to Greece to get some work for the summer and to have this tragedy now, it's a terrible shock."
Cllr Kelly added that the community will rally around the family. Work is now underway to repatriate the young lad's body home ahead of a funeral. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.
