The body of an Irishman who drowned in Australia at the weekend underwent a postmortem there yesterday.
The man, named locally as Bill Gaule (28), Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny, was on holiday in Australia with a group of friends when the accident happened.
He had been travelling around Queensland in northeast Australia since arriving on December 5th.
It is understood he went for a swim at around 4.30pm local time on Sunday and did not return. His friends found him unconscious in the water. It is believed that he was not a strong swimmer.
Emergency services were called but all efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Gaule's parents and two brothers were awaiting approval to bring his body back to Ireland.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said that they were aware of the death. "The family of Mr Gaule are being given every possible assistance from the Irish Consulate in Canberra," she said.
Patrick Harte, principal of St Senan's boys primary school in Kilmacow which Mr Gaule attended, said locals were shocked when they heard about the tragic event.
"It was totally unexpected, the information is coming in bits and pieces and we are still getting over it. He was an outgoing, lively, pleasant chap who was very interested in sport. He was well-known and well-liked in the parish."
