KEY POINTS:
An Irishman who drowned in Taupo yesterday was a popular young hurler who died just weeks after helping steer his club to county success.
Eoin Doran, 21, from Camross near Mountrath, in County Laois in central Ireland, died after getting into difficulties while swimming in the Waikato River.
The brother of senior county hurler Tadhg Doran, he was travelling with five friends when the tragedy occurred.
Hurling is a Gaelic sport, played with sticks and a hard ball.
Senior Constable Barry Shepherd said Mr Doran was one of a group of six young tourists swimming in a thermally heated Waikato River tributary near Spa Park.
People in the area attempted to rescue him, but were unsuccessful.
Mr Shepherd said it was a sad event that had quickly turned around a situation where friends were having a good time holidaying in New Zealand.
Mr Doran's parents had been told of the accident, he said.
His death has been reported to the Coroner.
- NZPA
