A 27-YEAR-OLD man has died after getting into difficulty in the River Erne in Co Fermanagh.
The man, named locally as Michael Flanagan, died in hospital after being taken from the river near the Glen Eden Hotel in Belleek.
A helicopter, two ambulances and fire crews were dispatched to the emergency incident after the alarm was raised on Thursday evening.
Mr Flanagan was a past pupil of St Martin's Primary School in Garrison and St Michael's College in Enniskillen, and a graduate of Queen's University Belfast where he studied international relations.
He worked for a period in Canada but returned in more recent years to work at home.
A few weeks ago he had been a groomsman at a friend's wedding.
He was the only son of Gerry and Sadie Flanagan.
SDLP councillor John Coyle, who knows the family, said the community was "shocked and stunned at the loss of a member of our close-knit community".
"My deepest condolences go to his mother and father at this difficult time," he said.
"I know that the community will gather round and support them in the coming weeks and days and months to come."
Rosemary Barton, UUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said: "The death of this young man has shocked the communities of Belleek and Garrison.
"My sympathy and prayers are with the young man's family at this difficult time."
Mr Flanagan's funeral is due to take place on Monday at Mary Queen of Peace Church, Garrison.
