THE LOCAL community of the Waterford man who drowned while on holiday in Thailand are raising thousands of euro to bring his body home.
David ‘Houli’ Houlihan was enjoying backpacking his way through Thailand, on his way to visit friends in Australia.
On Monday night (July 6) he went missing on his way back to his hotel on the island of Koh Samui. His siblings were informed yesterday that his body had been found.
A friend of the Houlihan family, Mary Fitzpatrick, set up the online fundraiser to help David’s family with the costs of repatriation and the funeral.
So far, more than €28,000 has been raised.
The Department of Foreign Affairs are also providing the family with consular assistance.
Sadly, this is not the first time the Houlihans have come to terms with the loss of a close relative. David’s mother Bernie passed away in 2011 after a battle with cancer, while his father died of a heart attack in 2004.
David was described as a “dedicated” member of the Dungarvan GAA club, who used sport to deal with the losses he suffered at such a young age.
“David picked himself up as best as he could at a young age from the passing of his parents and he immersed himself in sport and in lifelong friendships,” the club said in a statement.
He last lined out for the club last Friday – just two days before he departed for his trip. He had only been on Thailand for a day when he died.
Books of condolence have been opened in the clubhouse at Dungarvan GAA grounds as the local community comes to terms with the shock of the sudden loss.
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