By Alex Dunne,Cathal Ryan
Copyright rsvplive
A “friendly” man who tragically died following a swimming accident in Dublin last weekend has been identified as the brother of former RTÉ presenter Flo McSweeney.
Emergency services, including the coast guard, were swiftly called to the scene after reports emerged that a swimmer was in trouble on Sunday, 14 September around 12:30pm.
‘Gentle’ Paul McSweeney was immediately taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment, but despite their best efforts, he was sadly pronounced dead. The much-loved Paul was the sibling of former No Frontiers, TV Gaga, and Megamix host Flo McSweeney.
Paul will be laid out at Quinn’s of Glasthule on Friday, 19 September from 4pm to 6pm with his funeral service scheduled for Saturday morning at 10am in the National Maritime Museum, Dun Laoghaire, followed by cremation at Mount Jerome Crematorium.
Tributes have flooded in for the “warm and gentle” Paul following his tragic death. A passionate tennis player, members of Glenageary Lawn Tennis Club paid homage to their dear “friend and valued fellow club member”, expressing that his “final match point in life came far too early”, reports the Irish Mirror.
They penned: “It is with deep sadness we learned of the passing of Paul, our friend and valued fellow club member. As a long-time member of Glenageary Lawn Tennis Club, Paul was a regular in a Wednesday evening singles group.
“We all enjoyed his passion and competitive spirit. Paul’s passion extended to other areas including sustainability and the green economy, cycling, travel, languages and above all, his family. Paul loved and was very proud of Gemma and his four children and how they all achieved success.
“Paul was an intelligent, caring and genuine man. He will be missed by all in GLTC and particularly by his Wednesday evening playing partners Dick Bourke, Nick Bennett, Mark Healy, David Byrne, Gav Russell, Gav Byrne, Steve Tran, Michael Murphy, Ian Everitt-Penhale and Jan Pettersen.
“Paul’s final match point in life came far too early. May he Rest in Peace. Our deepest sympathies to Paul’s wife Gemma and their children Eleanor, Richard, Hannah, and Grace.”
One former business colleague of Paul’s shared: “For 12 years Paul and I worked together to change the world, and in many ways, we achieved that. He will be sorely missed as a colleague and friend. May he Rest In Peace.”
Another added: “Sending our thoughts and condolences to all of Paul’s family, and especially to Gemma and Grace, whom we played tennis with at GLTC. Paul was such a congenial, warm and friendly person and will be missed by so many. May he RIP.”
And a third commented: “Dear Flo, Brenda and all of Paul’s beloved family, please accept my deepest sympathies at this terribly sad time. I am truly sorry for your loss, I know it is a great loss.
“Paul’s photo made me smile, it is exactly as I have always known him, a warm gentle man. You are all in my thoughts and I send you much love.”
