TRIBUTES have been paid to a young Irishman who died in an accident whilst backpacking in East Africa.
Govan Jolliffe-Byrne from Portmarnock in Co. Dublin is understood to have suffered a fatal fall from a balcony in Tanzania.
The 20-year-old - who was travelling with a friend - was due to return home in coming weeks.
Mr Jolliffe-Byrne was a student at Maynooth University and played GAA with local Portmarnock team Naomh Mearnóg.
A message on the club’s Twitter page said: “Our thoughts are with the family & friends of Govan Byrne. A tragic and extremely sad loss to our senior footballers.”
Portmarnock Athletic Football Club said they were “devastated” to learn of Govan’s tragic death.
“A member of our club for a number of years, he is fondly remembered as an outstanding young man.
“Govan was well known and loved in a community that is shocked by his untimely death. Portmarnock AFC extends its' deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Govan at this time. May he rest in peace.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family of an Irish citizen in Tanzania.
See More: Died, Dublin, East Africa, Irishman, Tanzania
