Sean Keaney (35) from Ballinagh, Co. Cavan, has been identified locally as the Irish man who tragically drowned at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Emergency services recovered Mr Keaney’s body from the water at Whitehaven Beach at 11am on New Year’s Eve. 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. The club has set up a Gofundme page to help with the cost of repatriating Mr Keaney’s remains home in association with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

Source: Irish Independent January 02, 2026 15:49 UTC