The funeral arrangements for the late Fionn O’Brien have also been confirmed.
Online Book of Condolence for the late Fionn O’Brien RIP
Update: The young man airlifted to hospital earlier today following a surfing accident near Quilty, has died.
A Garda spokesman has confirmed: “Gardaí in Clare were alerted to an incident where a male had gotten into difficulty whilst surfing at Lough Donnell Beach, Co. Clare this morning, 5th July 2021.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene and the male (20s) was airlifted to University Hospital Limerick in serious condition. The male was later pronounced deceased at University Hospital Limerick.”
The dead man is understood to be a member of the lifeguard community in Clare. He has been named locally as Fionn O’Brien, aged 20.
St Josephs Doora-Barefield GAA Club has also paid tribute to the late Fionn O’Brien.
“Fionn was a very talented dual player with the club blessed with great skill and lightning speed. Even at such a young age he had already contributed hugely with the promise of a lot more to come. He had won u14 and U16 titles in hurling and Minor in football. His goal to draw the U16 hurling final in 2017 will always be spoken of and reminisced about. Only last Friday in what ultimately proved to be his last game for the club Fionn scored a goal for the Intermediate hurlers with the last play of the match.
Fionn will always be remembered as part of the rich history of our club, his name always mentioned in glowing terms and his memory never forgotten. Rest easy Fob. You will be sorely missed.”
A post on the Water Safety Ireland Facebook page read: “We express our Deepest Sympathies to the family and everyone involved in this morning’s tragic incident. Everyone in the Lifesaving community is mourning the untimely loss of our dear friend. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
The staff and management at Rice College in Ennis have also extended their condolences to the O’Brien family.
A young man has been airlifted to hospital in a serious condition after he got into difficulty while surfing near Quilty this morning.
The alarm was raised shortly after 8.00am when a person was reported to have been helped from the water off Lough Donnell Beach, a short distance from Seafield. It’s understood he had been surfing with others at the time.
The Kilkee unit of the Irish Coast Guard was tasked to the scene along with ambulance paramedics and Gardaí. The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115, was also requested to assist.
It’s understood that a number of off-duty lifeguards, who had been in the area, helped bring the casualty ashore and assisted him until emergency services arrived.
The casualty, believed to be in his 20s, was treated at the scene by National Ambulance Service paramedics before being airlifted to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.
The operation was coordinated by watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry.
In a statement, the Irish Coast Guard said: “The Shannon based Coast Guard helicopter R115 this morning transferred a man to University Hospital Limerick. The casualty got into difficulty while surfing in Lough Donnell, Quilty, Co Clare. CPR was administered on scene and on route to hospital.”
