Tragic Irish man was due to fly back to Ireland today

Teacher who died in fall was booked on flight home today

• ORIGINAL REPORT / TRAGIC DEATH OF YOUNG IRISHMAN IN NEW YORK / CLICK HERE

The young Irishman who was killed in fall in New York was supposed to return to Ireland today.

Irish teacher Brian Forde, 22, was killed after falling from the roof of a hostel on 107th street in Manhattan.

Poignantly, Forde, who came from Athenry in County Galway, was due to fly back home today.

Now, his grief-stricken family is preparing to bring his body home.

Forde was a well-known hurler; he played for Athenry back home and had been playing in New York since his arrival in June.

He had been working as a material technology teacher in St. Raphael's College in Loughrea, County Galway and was off for the summer.

He is survived by his heartbroken family; parents Michael and Kathleen, older brother Tom and younger sister Claire.

The local parish priest in Athenry today paid tribute to Forde and said the entire community was devastated.

Fr Tony King described Forder as a "lovely, outgoing young man"  with a great sense of humor.

This is the third tragedy to hit Irish people in the U.S.

Last month, husband and wife Ann and Joe O'Connell were killed in a road accident in Iowa leaving their three children orphans.

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Nster.com