A man who was drowned after he fell off Claddagh pier in Galway early yesterday has been named as Mr John O'Brien (35) of Bridge Street, Westport, Co Mayo.
Mr O'Brien, who was married with two children, is understood to have been walking home with his wife when he slipped and fell into the water shortly after 3 a.m. The Galway inshore lifeboat and the fire brigade were alerted but failed to locate him.
Mr O'Brien's body was recovered near the pier at first light yesterday by local divers.
Mr O'Brien's wife, Ms Darina Costello, stood as an independent candidate in the Galway West constituency in 1992. She was spokeswoman for the Galway for Life group for a number of years.