An Irishman who drowned trying to rescue his daughter in Australia has been named as Paul Doran from Co Kildare.
The 45-tear-old emigrated to Australia with his wife Simonne and their three children recently. He had previously worked as a builder with his father’s firm, Paul Doran Construction, and the family home was in Tipperkevin, Ballymore Eustace.
Mayor of Naas Cllr Evie Sammon said Mr Doran was a “loved and very well respected” member of the community.
Family friend Rose Barrett O’Donoghue said the village of Ballymore Eustace was “reeling” from the news.
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“There are no words to lessen the pain, nothing that can be said to reduce the heartbreak the Doran family is feeling today,” she wrote on the Ballymore Eustace Facebook page.
“A young man whom many of you know or would have gone to school with. Cruel for his wife Simone and their three children, dreadful for Helen and Paddy, for Paul’s siblings Aoife, Emma, Sarah and Gavin and their extended families.
“A young couple having an adventure in Australia, and to end in tragedy... We extend our deepest sympathy to Simone and children, Paddy, Helen and all the Doran family.
“A heartfelt hug to each and every one of those grieving today, such a dreadful sudden - and painful - parting.”
She conveyed her sympathies to Mr Doran’s parents Helen and Paddy and his siblings Aoife, Emma, Sarah and Gavin.
Mr Doran’s oldest daughter Lyra (11) got into difficulty when the family were having a late swim at Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Head in northern New South Wales on Wednesday at around 6.30pm.
[ Irish man drowns trying to rescue daughter on Australia’s Gold CoastOpens in new window ]
His daughter was on a bodyboard, New South Wales Police said, and Mr Doran swam out to help her but neither of them were able to get back to shore.
Mrs Doran then swam out and was able to get their daughter back to the beach and alert authorities that her husband was still in the water. Two police officers, who were first on the scene, entered the surf in an attempt to find him but were unsuccessful.
Mr Doran was retrieved at about 7pm by surf lifesavers. New South Wales ambulance paramedics initiated CPR but were unable to revive him and he died at the scene. His wife and daughter were treated by paramedics and allowed to go home.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it aware of this case, and is providing consular assistance to the family.
