A heartbreaking tragedy.
The brother and sister who were killed in the Ballybunion beach drowning tragedy have been named.
The brother was identified as Dessie Byrne, aged in his 50s.
Dessie and his sister Muriel were on their holiday in Co. Kerry when they both got into difficulty swimming off Ballybunion beach. The tragic incident happened on Thursday evening.
Mr. Byrne’s sister was visiting him from her home in Malmo, Sweden. His sister was aged 62.
Emergency services managed to remove them both from the water, but they were both pronounced dead a short time later.
The tragedy unfolded in front of Mr. Byrne’s teenage son, according to The Irish Examiner.
Mr. Byrne was originally from Athlone, but he was living in Lecarrow in Roscommon with his wife and children.
The dad has been described by locals as an “absolute gentleman”.
The local community is completely shaken following the horror accident.
Tributes have been paid to both Mr. Byrne and his sister following their untimely deaths.
Aengus O’Rourke wrote, “Very saddened to hear the awful news about local man Dessie Byrne and his sister Muriel following the drowning incident in Ballybunnion yesterday evening.
“My deepest condolences to Dessie’s family and friends – all of whom I know well.
“The people of Athlone, in particular, Baylough and Lecarrow are all reeling at this awful news. May they both rest in peace.”
Gardaí have spoken to those who witnessed the tragedy but are treating it as an accident at this time.
Autopsies on both Mr. Byrne and his sister’s bodies will take place in due course.
A file will also be prepared for the coroner.
