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Tyrone man Shane Quinn (39) killed in New York balcony fall

Shane Quinn had just marked his 39th birthday shortly before his sudden death
Shane Quinn had just marked his 39th birthday shortly before his sudden death Shane Quinn had just marked his 39th birthday shortly before his sudden death

A CO Tyrone man has been killed after falling from a balcony in New York while celebrating his birthday with friends.

Shane Quinn, who was from Coolkeeragh near Drumquin, died in the accident on Tuesday.

The father-of-one had been living and working in the United States since 2000.

It is the second tragedy to hit the Quinn family in recent times.

Parish priest Fr Kevin Mullan said his parents Patricia and Eamonn had been left "broken" by the tragedy after losing another son some years ago.

He said that Mr Quinn's last visit home from New York had been to attend his brother Kevin's funeral 12 years ago.

"They are broken by the loss of the two boys. They are a quiet and good family and just need a little bit of support from neighbours who have been very good to them," Fr Mullan said.

"It is bringing back memories of the earlier tragedy."

It is understood that Mr Quinn, who worked in the construction industry, was celebrating his 39th birthday when the tragedy happened.

He leaves behind a son, Ryan, and Cork-born fiancée Jeanette O'Gorman who has also lived in the US for many years.

Back home in Drumquin, he was described on Sunday as "a popular and much loved member of our community".

Mr Quinn left a job in Omagh's RJ Smyth Engineering Ltd to move to Woodlawn in the Bronx in 2000.

The Irish American community there has rallied around offer his family what help they could, including holding a four-hour wake and celebration of his life at a New York funeral home on Saturday.

Describing him as "a kind and good-natured man (who) cared deeply for his family and friends" and was "an easygoing man" whose "favorite pass times was watching soccer, especially his beloved Manchester United".

"Shane was by all accounts very handsome," a New York obituary said.

"He could be often heard joking: `By God, I'm good looking'. And indeed he was, inside and out."

Friends and relatives sent photographs for a montage of Shane, a past pupil of St Joseph and St Mary's Primary Schools and St Patrick's Secondary School, from his childhood to present day for the wake.

His two surviving brothers Aaron and Dermot travelled to New York to make arrangements to bring his body home.

Mr Quinn will be buried on Monday with his brother in the cemetery adjoining St Patrick's Church, Langfield, Drumquin, following 4pm Requiem Mass.