RTÉ pays tribute to orchestra member who died in Greece

RTÉ has paid tribute to a member of its National Symphony Orchestra who drowned along with his partner on the Greek island of Crete at the weekend.

The bodies of John Lynch and Kevin Devine were recovered from the sea off Mavros Molos beach on Kissamos Bay on Friday. The two men got into difficulties amid strong waves on the popular beach.

Mr Lynch, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, played viola with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. RTÉ director general Noel Curran today said the 45-year-old was a "most talented musician".

“He will be hugely missed by all in RTÉ Orchestras, Quartet and Choirs, particularly by those he played with in the National Symphony Orchestra,” Mr Curran said in a statement. “On behalf of all in RTÉ, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to John’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

John O’Kane, executive director, RTÉ Orchestras, Quartet and Choirs, said Mr Lynch was “a treasured colleague and friend of all in the RTÉ NSO. He will be greatly missed.”

Mr Devine (46), originally from Drogheda, Co Louth, worked in the Department of Health. He previously studied linguistics and French at UCD.

Mr Devine's parents yesterday said they were being assisted by the authorities in Greece and by the Department of Foreign Affairs and "deeply appreciate their support at this difficult time".

Funeral arrangements will be made once the bodies have been repatriated.

A coastguard official in Kissamos said the two men entered the water after 5.30pm on Friday although there was a red flag flying on the beach warning against bathing. When one of them got into difficulty, he called on the other man for help but the adverse conditions prevented them from returning to the beach.

Young men who were surfing in the same area eventually reached and retrieved the men, who, according to the coastguard, were dead when they were brought ashore.

The beach is normally supervised but the official said that the duty lifeguard had finished his shift shortly before the men went in for a swim.