It has emerged today that a British man whose parents live in Co Roscommon was killed in last week's tsunami.
Mac and Margo McComish, who have lived in Strokestown, Co Roscommon, for more than two years, today thanked locals in Strokestown for their sympathy and support in recent days.
"The people around here have been absolutely fantastic," said Mr McComish, 62. "They were there for us when we really needed them."
The McComish family are planning to hold a memorial service for Matthew in Strokestown when they return after his funeral service in the UK.
Remembering his son, Mr McComish said: "He was full of life. He had a great sense of humour. He was living his dream as he travelled around the world."
The body of Matthew McComish, 29, from Birmingham was found by his best friends close to where he worked on Phi Phi Island, Thailand.
Mr and Mrs McComish came to Ireland in 2002 after they retired. Margo's family is originally from Newry, Co Down, and she still has relatives there and in Dundalk.