Tributes are being paid to a loving father-of-three who died in a diving accident off the coast of Donegal on Saturday afternoon.
Patrick Doran died following the incident at Teelin Bay in south Donegal during a large diving event.
The 49-year-old Co Leitrim native was pronounced dead at the scene.
Another diver in his 60s was recovered from the water and was treated by paramedics before being airlifted to University Hospital Galway.
It is understood the man was treated in the National Hyperbaric Medicine Unit there which has a recompression chamber, used to treat decompression sickness, also known as ‘the bends’.
Meanwhile, the GAA club of which the late Mr Doran was a member have paid tribute to the married father of three.
St. Mary’s GAA Club, Kiltoghert said he was “a true Gael, loyal friend, and loving family man”.
An online tribute from the club also remembered Mr Doran’s family at this time.
Condolences were left with Mr Doran’s brothers and sisters, Anna Marie, James, Colm, Richie, Dearbhla and Melissa, outside Leitrim Village, to Bridie and to his late father Jim Doran.
Educated in Leitrim Village NS and Carrick-on-Shannon Vocational School before studying engineering at third level, Patrick married his childhood sweetheart, Siobhan Moran, Drumsna, and settled in Finisklin, Effrinagh, where the couple were raising three children Emmet, Caoimhe and Eibhlín.
The tribute continues “Paddy’s involvement with Saint Mary’s Kiltoghert goes right back to his childhood, where he represented the club and won titles at every underage grade. He not only represented the club with distinction, but also represented Leitrim at U-16, U-18 and U-21. His love of sport extended beyond football and he played hurling, soccer, basketball, and athletics.
“Paddy continued to play for Saint Mary’s Kiltoghert into adulthood, winning medals at intermediate and senior levels. He captained the intermediate winning team of 1995. He was also selector in 2000. One of Paddy’s proudest achievements was that of player manager of the championship wining junior B team of 2006. There’s many a man around the county who still grimace at the mention of his name as they recall being on the receiving end of one of Paddy’s legendary shoulder tackles.
“Like his father before him, Paddy’s role in the club extended beyond his playing days. He accepted numerous officer roles within the club, most noticeably that of PRO. During the dark days of covid, Paddy brought a ray of sunshine into our lives as he was pivotal in the live streaming of championship matches into our living rooms while games were played behind closed doors. Who could forget the “sideways stream” from Pairc Naomh Mhuire. He revelled in the teasing he got from that one!
“Always one for the underdog, Paddy ensured that the club always entered third and fourth teams where possible and took on managerial positions to ensure their success.
“Paddy was more than a club member, the club was a part of him. There was nothing Paddy would not do to ensure we all got the club he felt we deserved. From committees, to officer roles, to donning a high-vis vest to ensure everyone’s safety on match day, Paddy was always there.
“His straight talking, no nonsense, man of action approach endeared him to all who met him. His sad passing leaves a void in our club and our lives which will never be replaced.
“We know our huge loss is shared with other clubs, especially Leitrim Gaels, with whom Paddy shared a wide circle of friends.
“Words cannot describe the heartbreak we feel for his loving wife, Siobhan, his children Emmet Caoimhe, and Eibhlín, his mother Bridie, his brothers, sisters, extended family, neighbours and many many friends, and to you all, we extend our deepest sympathies.”
