'A smile that could light up a room' - tributes paid to Irish man who drowned in Australia

"His death notice states that he died "suddenly following a tragic accident" and that he is survived by his mother, Bridie; his sisters, Cathriona, Fiona, Breda, and Katie; and his brothers, Matt, Cathal, and Thomas. He was predeceased by his father, Charlie. In a tribute posted online, Mr. Keaney's London GAA club, Tara GFC, for whom he played, said he had a smile "that could light up a room and a laugh that could warm your heart"."

""After transferring from Crosserlough GFC in Cavan to Tara GFC, Sean spent an incredible four years with our club, leaving a lasting impact on everyone he met," the club said. "We were incredibly lucky to have Sean by our side as we celebrated last year's and this year's Championship victories, as well as the All Britain titles. 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, Sean will be unbelievably missed by us all.""

Emergency services recovered Mr Keaney's body from the water at Whitehaven Beach at 11am on New Year's Eve. He had lived in the UK for several years and is the third person reported to have drowned at New South Wales beaches in recent days. The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the family. His death notice states he died "suddenly following a tragic accident" and lists surviving family members and that he was predeceased by his father, Charlie. Tara GFC paid tribute to his impact, noting his four years after transferring from Crosserlough and his role in recent championship wins. The club has set up a GoFundMe with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and has raised almost €10,000 of a €16,000 target to help repatriate his remains.

Read at Irish Independent