Town reeling after young man's tragic holiday death

The town of Athlone is reeling with shock following news of the death of a popular local man in Majorca. Daniel Kenny (24) from the Golden Island/Clonbonny area of Athlone is thought to have fallen from a balcony at an apartment and hotel complex in the popular holiday resort of Santa Ponsa at 3am on Monday morning. Poignantly, it's believed he had only been just over a day on the holiday island, off the South East coast of Spain, with a group of friends when the tragedy occurred. Paramedics rushed to the scene and spent some 50 minutes trying to revive him but Mr Kenny died from his injuries. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed they have been informed of the incident and are providing consular assistance to the Kenny family. A police investigation is also underway into the circumstances of the accident. From an extremely well-known and popular local family, Daniel, an able mechanic, had worked for a considerable time alongside his father Donie, in the family garage business Donal Kenny Autoparts and Tyres in Golden Island. He is a former student of the Marist College, Athlone. It's understood members of the Kenny family have travelled to Spain and Daniel's remains are expected to be released shortly by the authorities there. Popular among his peers, he was known as a keen motoring and music enthusiast with a wide circle of friends in the Athlone area. It's thought he had recently returned to college. A keen footballer with Athlone GAA during his younger years, Daniel played in the club colours from the under 10 grade right up to minor. He is remembered as a dedicated, lovely guy, who got on with everybody and was popular among members and officials of the club. Playing half forward and corner forward at underage level, he won under 10 honours in the Castledaly tournament, an under twelve league and championship, and under 16 league and championship medals with the club. Two years ago, he lined out as part of the Athlone GAA junior team. Chairman of Athlone GAA club Paul Connellan extended his deepest sympathies this week to the Kenny family on their tragic loss. Playing with the club up to a couple of years ago, he said everyone had said Daniel was a lovely, friendly young man. Meanwhile, Cllr Paul Hogan, a next door neighbour of the Kenny family for many years when they lived in Retreat Park, prior to moving to the Golden Island/Clonbonny area some time ago, said it was a shocking tragedy to hit the family especially at what should have been a happy time for Daniel on holidays. At Monday's town council meeting, Cllr Kevin 'Boxer' Moran proposed a vote of sympathy to the Kenny family on the news of Daniel's death.