Local man dies in Malta tragedy

The man who passed away tragically in Malta yesterday has been named locally as Athlone man Noel Ryan.

The Westmeath Independent is reporting that Mr Ryan, a popular and respected retired businessman from Athlone, died tragically after getting into difficulty while swimming off a seaside resort on the Mediterranean island.

The paper said that Mr Ryan, who was aged 76 years, ran a clothes shop on Mardyke Street for almost 50 years until his retirement in 2014.

The Irish Times said that according to a police statement, Maltese police were alerted at about 12.40pm yesterday, that a man was struggling in the water at Xatt is-Sajjieda in St Julian’s Bay.

Police immediately attended the scene and requested the assistance of the Civil Protection and the Armed Forces of Malta.

The man was brought ashore where he received medical treatment but was pronounced dead shortly after, according to the police statement.

A magisterial inquiry into the incident is taking place, and police are investigating the death.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.