Tributes pour in for tragic Clara soldier

Tributes are pouring in for tragic Aaron Buckley who lost his life while swimming in the Abbey River, Limerick on Monday.

The talented young footballer and former soldier from Clara is understood to have gotten into difficulty while swimming close to the Absolute Hotel, shortly after 1pm yesterday.

A former member of the Defence Forces and also a talented footballer, Aaron is believed to have been swept under the surface of the water shortly after he entered in the vicinity of Baal’s Bridge, Harry’s Mall.

A friend of his alerted emergency services and a major search operation got underway.

Sadly, the 22-year-old's body was recovered shortly before 6pm near Arthur’s Quay, by members of Limerick Marine Search and Rescue, assistant by the Limerick Land Search Team and gardaí.

A post mortem is due to take place at University Hospital Limerick and a file prepared for the Limerick City Coroner’s Office.

He is survived by “loving parents Alvin and Edel, brothers Gavin and Noah, sister Jemma, and his grandparents Pat and Ann Egan and Michael and Ann Buckley”.

GAA Club Erin Rovers, who Aaron play for, posted their “sincere condolences” to his family and friends online.

“Aaron was a very talented young footballer and was part of the team which won the intermediate title in 2017. Not alone was he a very talented footballer, he was also a very down to earth man who was always in good form and had a smile on his face,” wrote a spokesperson for the club.

He will be a huge loss around the club not just for the football but for the man he was. He will be sadly missed by all his teammate, committee members, supporters, and from all who knew him. May he rest in peace.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.