Dublin man (20) dies after fall in Tanzania

Govan Jolliffe-Byrne, from Portmarnock, had been backpacking in eastern Africa

Govan Jolliffe-Byrne (20) from Portmarnock, had been backpacking in eastern Africa since June.
Govan Jolliffe-Byrne (20) from Portmarnock, had been backpacking in eastern Africa since June.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is providing consular assistance to the family of young man who died in Tanzania.

The man, who is from Dublin, is understood to have died as a result of a fall in Tanzania in eastern Africa over the weekend.

The man, named locally as 20-year-old Govan Jolliffe-Byrne from Portmarnock, had been backpacking in eastern Africa since June. It is understood he was due to return home in coming weeks.

The department has been in touch with the Irish embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and is in contact with the victim's family.

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Mr Jolliffe-Byrne, a student in NUI Manooth played GAA with local Portmarnock team Naomh Mearnóg.

“Our thoughts are with the family & friends of Govan Byrne. A tragic and extremely sad loss to our senior footballers,” a message on the club’s Twitter page read.

In a later this afternoon the club paid tribute to the young man as a “true legend” who was “always the...soul of the party & everyone’s friend” adding “you will never be forgotten”.

The chairman of the club Michael Hannon “a very well liked young man” who was very well respected in the area and said there was a sense of shock locally following the news of his death.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” he added.