A 25-year-old Irish man has died following a drowning incident in the Indonesian province of Bali.
Val Brooks of Kiltealy, Co Wexford, emigrated to Australia just a number of weeks ago. He was holidaying with friends in Bali when the incident happened earlier this week.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance to the family.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, parish priest for Ballindaggin, Caim and Kiltealy in Co Wexford, Fr Jim Fegan said that "hearts are broken" following the incident.
"When tragedy like this strikes in any of our families, it just shows us really how fragile life really is and how in seconds everything can change, and lives are turned upside down," he said.
Fr Fegan said that Val was "a fantastic carpenter".
"He was a young lad, 25 years of age. His pals had emigrated before him and he decided, I think, I'll give this a try.
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"He had gone for a year. He was only five weeks gone last Tuesday and he was enjoying life, like all the young people and wanting to explore life in different parts. He was a vibrant young man full of life, very happy-go-lucky guy".
Fr Fegan said that having met Val’s friends in recent days after the news, it is obvious that he "touched a lot of lives and even to see the amount of young people whose hearts are broken. It's just an awful tragedy".
Although Val was far away, Fr Fegan said, he was still in communication nearly every day with his family and friends here.
"He was a guy who always kept great contact and a great relationship even with his cousins and it's such an awful tragedy ... Kiltealy is a very strong community and it's wonderful to see how the people are coming together.
"They're supporting Val and Anne [Val’s parents] and the family at this time and I know they'd walk the extra mile with them in these difficult days.
"They still have the difficult days - Val's body has still to be repatriated and brought home, and they still have the funeral ahead of them. And so it's a very tough, tough time.
Val’s friends are still in Bali, Fr Fegan said, and they are liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the family as well.
