A 63-year-old Kilkenny man has died while on holiday in Australia.
Business owner John Holland (senior) from Ballyragget got into difficulty while sea swimming in Melbourne on New Year's Day.
Parish Priest in Ballyragget, Fr Eamonn O’Gorman, told RTÉ News that Mr Holland travelled to Australia with a friend to visit his daughter who moved there within the last year.
Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael McCarthy said Mr Holland operated a grain business in the centre of the village.
He said he was known widely throughout the community and would be sadly missed.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.
"As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of individual cases," the Department said.
