Tributes have begun pouring in for an Irish man who died after a freak accident in New Zealand on Friday, February 17.
The young man has since been named locally as Laois man Sean Clear who would have celebrated his 25th birthday just yesterday.
It is understood that Sean died while working on machinery at a farm in New Zealand, where he has lived and worked since last Autumn.
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Clough Ballacolla GAA Chairman, Gordon Pearson, led tributes for the local man and described him as the ‘nicest young lad’ who ‘had a word for everybody’.
“We as a community, as a club, we are deeply saddened over it. The nicest young lad you could ever meet,” Mr Pearson said
“He was such a nice chap. He had a word for everybody.
“We are deeply saddened over it and we will do all we can to support them in this terrible time.
“They are a lovely family. It is terrible. It was a freak accident,” Mr Pearson explained.
Ballypickas GAA was also among those paying tribute to the young man.
In a message, a spokesperson said: “The club would like to express their deepest sympathy and condolences to Tom, Julia, and Ella Clear, Ballacolla on the very sad loss of their son [and] brother Sean.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, extended family, and friends of Sean. May he rest in peace”.
Mr Clear is survived by his father Tom, mother Julie, sister Ella and a wide circle of family and friends.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed, as do the details of the repatriation of Sean’s remains.
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