Over €24,000 raised for family of David Houlihan (24)

Over €24,000 has been raised online to help the family of David Houlihan bring the young man’s body back to Ireland.

Mr Houlihan (24) from Dungarvan in Co Waterford drowned in Thailand earlier this week.

The YouCaring fundraising page, which was set up as a collection for the Houlihan family, had far exceeded it’s original goal of €1,000 euro by Thursday morning with €24,254 already pledged.

The page said: “David’s family are looking after everything but we would all love to show our support. Any and all donations welcome”.

More than 850 supporters posted messages of condolence and goodwill on the site.

Dungarvan GAA Club paid tribute to the young hurling player on Facebook and extended its "heartfelt feelings" to the Houlihan family from Abbeyside, adding that they had "already suffered too much grief in their short lives".

The post wrote Mr Houlihan had “immersed himself in sport and lifelong friendships” at a young age following the death of his parents.

“Houli was a true Blue, verified by the amount of photos in the club house he is included in from under age to adult level,” said the Facebook post from the GAA Club.

“He forged friendships everywhere he went and his popularity has plunged everybody who befriended him into a deep darkness.”

Mr Houlihan was remembered for his skills as a hurler and footballer in the club.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance to his family.

Dungarvan Fine Gael councillor Damian Geoghegan, who played for Dungarvan, paid tribute to Mr Houlihan.

“He was a friendly, popular young man with a happy disposition and a very wide circle of friends,” he said. “The local community here in Dungarvan are in deep shock at his untimely passing. I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”