The 56-year-old Irishman who died after apparently being struck by a jet-ski or a speedboat while swimming in Spain was yesterday named as Seán Ó Siadhail from Kilmessan, Co Meath, a retired school teacher and well-known Irish author.
It is believed he was struck on the back of the head while swimming in the sea off the Costa Blanca last Saturday afternoon.
Mr Ó Siadhail, who was originally from Derry, retired from teaching in Athboy, Co Meath, last September. His body is expected to be flown to the family home in Kilmessan tomorrow night.
His death follows a number of recent water accidents abroad involving Irish holidaymakers.
Earlier this month, Basil Bourke (21), nephew of Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea, died in a drowning accident while holidaying in Ibiza.
Brendan O'Reilly (23), from Annalitten, Co Monaghan, drowned in a swimming pool while on holidays in Gran Canaria.
A spokesman for Irish Water Safety said there had been a steady decline in the number of drownings in Ireland over the last five years, with the lowest number in 40 years recorded last year.
However, he said there had been a notable increase in the number of drownings abroad involving Irish citizens.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the police in the Costa Blanca region of eastern Spain said that Mr Ó Siadhail had a Spanish residence and was a member of the Irish community in Torrevieja, an area which is very popular with the Irish.
"In what was a tragic accident, we believe he was hit by either a jet-ski or a speedboat. He was spotted floating in the water by bathers off the popular Cabo Roig beach at Orihuela Costa near Torrevieja on Saturday afternoon," he said.
"He was wearing only bathing trunks and had a single big gash to the back of the head . . . Everything points to this being a tragic accident. There were no other injuries on the body."
Mr Ó Siadhail is survived by his wife Eilish and their children Ruth, Donncha, Eabha, Neasa and Marcas.