A POPULAR young man who drowned while diving near the Saltee Islands will be laid to rest tomorrow in Castledockerell, Enniscorthy.

Vincent (Vinnie) O’Brien, 25, late of Greenville Lane, Enniscorthy and 1, Maple Court, Mortarstown, Carlow, died on Saturday morning during a deep sea dive near a wreck off the Saltee Islands, with Wexford Sub Aqua Club.

He is survived by his parents, Ruairi and Elizabeth and sister, Catherine.

Well known in Kilmore Quay where his father is from, Mr. O’Brien has been described as a wonderful and vibrant man who loved the sea.

He went out with Wexford Sub Aqua Club at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning for a dive. At around 9:15 a.m. one of the divers above him saw Mr. O’Brien shooting up past him.

Mr. O’Brien’s sister Catherine told The Echo: “They were making their ascent and one of the divers who was with him saw Vinnie shoot up past him. He tried to grab him but he couldn’t make a speedy ascent too because of the danger involved.”

It is believed Mr. O’Brien, (who was an experienced diver), was approximately 25 metres underwater when the incident occurred. There were three other divers below him as he began his ascent. Mr. O’Brien was found unconscious by the coxswain of the rig and was later pronounced dead at Waterford Regional Hospital.

Mr. O’Brien’s removal is on Wednesday at 11.15 a.m. to the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, arriving for Funeral Mass at 12 noon.

His remains will be brought immediately afterwards to Castledockerell Cemetery, Enniscorthy, where his mother’s parents are buried.

For the full story see this week’s printed Echo editions.