Tributes paid to nephew of Sinn Féin politician after lough tragedy
David Young, PA
Tributes have been paid to a man who died after getting into difficulty in a lake in Co Tyrone.
Fiachra Ó Faoláin, who was in his 20s, was a nephew of Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew and former Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew.
It is understood Mr Ó Faoláin entered Carrick Lough in the Carricklongfield Road area of Aughnacloy at about around 11pm on Saturday.
Police, Fire Service personnel and Community Search and Rescue volunteers were all involved in the search for him.
His body was recovered from the water on Sunday.
Colm Gildernew issued a statement on behalf of the Ó Faoláin family.
He said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of our nephew Fiachra Ó Faoláin, after a tragic accident in Carrick Lough on Saturday evening.
“Our immediate thoughts are with Fiachra’s mummy, our sister Fiona, daddy Shane and his siblings Dearbhla, Roisin, Meabh, Daithi and Dualtach, and the wider Ó Faoláin and Gildernew families at this immensely difficult time.
“Fiachra was a much-loved, loving and caring young man with a bright future ahead of him and he will be remembered fondly by all who knew and loved him.
“On behalf of Fiachra’s family, and our wider family circle, I want to extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude to the emergency services for all of their efforts and support.
“As the family begins to process this devastating and unimaginable loss, I would urge the media to respect their request for privacy at this time.”
In a post on social media, former Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew said: “We lost our funny, rebellious, kind and generous nephew today. You were one in a million Fiachra Ó Faoláin.
“May you rest in eternal peace darling, we will always miss you.”
The PSNI said: “Police will make inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death and a post-mortem will take place in due course, however at present the death is not believed to be suspicious.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased.”