Tributes have been paid to an Irish man who drowned while on holiday abroad with pals describing him as the "nicest, most harmless person you could meet" who "never stopped smiling".
Cian McHale, who was originally from Castlebar in Mayo but had lived around the Headford Road area of Galway for several years, was having the holiday of his life in Crete, Greece, with his friends when tragedy struck, Galway Beo reports.
Cian, who would have turned 22 in August, was swimming in an area off the coast of Hersonissos when he suddenly lost consciousness and was swept out to sea by the strong currents.
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Cian's friends immediately told the local police and rescue teams who launched boats, divers and jet skis in a long search during the early hours of Thursday morning on the resort. He was discovered a time later stuck under rocks, and while rescuers were able to release him, they were unable to save him in time.
Tributes have been flowing in for Cian who was a well-known figure around Tirellan Heights and Baile An Chóiste in the Castlegar area despite growing up in Mayo with his grandparents when he was younger. A friend of his told Galway Beo that he lived near him for years and was "sad to see this happen to such a nice and harmless lad like Cian".
One of Cian's best friends, Kirsty Fallon, told Galway Beo that Cian "never, ever stopped smiling" and that their friend group has been crushed following the news. She told the publication: "Cian was one of my best friends, my friend group has a special bond, we’re family. Losing him is like I’ve lost a brother, not one of us can process it, it’s a complete shock and I can't believe he's gone.
"Every heart around Galway weighs tremendously heavy at this time, the one thing we’ve all said is the one thing we’ll miss the most was his smile, he never stopped smiling.
"I have no doubt when we look at the sky at night, we will see a moon and it will be in the shape of his smile - but maybe not quite as bright as his. He was loved so deeply by everyone and that is visible by all the tributes paid to him all around social media. We love you forever and always Cian, shine extra bright for us."
Kirsty added that a memorial service will be held for Cian down by the swamp, also known as South Park, in the Claddagh at 8pm on Thursday night where they will light candles and left off balloons.
Galway Beo has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Irish Embassy in Greece and the Greece Embassy in Ireland who are providing consular assistance to his family at this time.
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