Funeral arrangements for Cavan man who died saving others

Sean will repose at his home (H12 AD80) on Monday, January 12

The funeral arrangements have been announced for a young Cavan man who died tragically near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia on New Year’s Eve while trying to save others.

Seán Keaney (35), from Derrin Lower, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, died after getting into difficulty in the waters at Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island. His body was recovered at around 11am, just as New Year’s celebrations were beginning.

Sean will repose at his home (H12 AD80) on Monday, January 12 and on Tuesday, January 13 from 5pm - 8pm both evenings. Funeral Mass takes place on Wednesday, January 14 in St Joseph's Church, Drumkilly, at 12 noon, followed by burial afterwards in the local cemetery.

A shuttle bus will operate from St Joseph's Church, Drumkilly, carpark (A82 VO49) to the Keaney family home on both evenings.

“What we’ve been told is that Seán was trying to help others when he got into difficulty himself,” his grieving family told The Anglo-Celt this week.

His family say the tragedy has been “devastating for all of us - and for anyone who ever met Seán. Friends, family, teammates - everyone feels the same.”

In the wake of Seán’s death, an extraordinary outpouring of kindness and generosity has deeply moved the Keaney family. At the time of going to print, a fundraiser established in Seán’s memory has raised close to £100,000 for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, with donations continuing to pour in from across Ireland, Britain and beyond.

The GoFundMe page, set up by London-based GAA club, Tara GFC, shortly after Seán’s death, had an initial target of just £2,000. Within just hours of going live, the total had surpassed £70,000.

Seán had been living in the Hanwell area of London for the past 11 years. In recent years, he and his brother Mattie established Keaney Brothers Limited, a specialist construction and civil engineering company based in west London.

Paying tribute, Tara GFC said their “dearest friend” left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

“Seán joined Tara GFC after transferring from Crosserlough GFC in Cavan and spent four unforgettable years with us, leaving a lasting impact on everyone,” the club said. “He was the life of every celebration- always on the dance floor, with a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that warmed every heart. His absence leaves an unimaginable void.”