LAST UPDATE | 19 Nov 2018
A NUMBER OF ministers have offered their condolences to the family of an Irish soccer fan who died yesterday morning in Copenhagen Harbour.
Police in the Danish capital have said they received reports of ‘a lifeless man in the water’ just before 10.30am yesterday morning at the harbour in the Havnegade area of the city.
Divers from the Copenhagen Fire Department attended the scene and he was removed from the water. The 30-year-old man was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
A police spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that there is no suspicion of foul play.
The deceased man had travelled to Copenhagen for this evening’s Ireland v Denmark soccer match.
Drogheda United FC has named the man as David Clerkin.
“Drogheda United would like to express its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of David Clerkin who passed away yesterday in Copenhagen. A dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis,” it wrote on social media.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross and Minister with responsibility for Sport Brendan Griffin have offered their condolences to the family.
“It is terribly sad news to hear of the tragic death of an Irish football supporter in Copenhagen this weekend. My thoughts are with the man’s family at this dreadful time,” Minister Ross said.
“Ireland’s football fans have always represented the country so well on their travels and the last thing anyone ever wants to receive is terrible news of something awful like this. It puts sport into perspective.”
Minister Griffin added: “I wish to offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the supporter who tragically lost his life over the weekend.
Travelling to support your country in any sport is supposed to be a joyous occasion. It is really desperately sad to learn that somebody who made the journey to support their national team will not be returning home afterwards.
‘Deeply saddened’
Players on the Irish soccer team will wear black armbands in respect of the fan who died.
In a statement, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said it is “deeply saddened” to learn of the passing of a Republic of Ireland supporter.
“The FAI has expressed its condolences to the family of the supporter, who passed away in Copenhagen, ahead of the UEFA Nations League game between Denmark and Ireland.
“An official request has been submitted to UEFA, by the FAI, to hold a minute’s silence before kick-off in tonight’s game in Aarhus.
The Ireland players will wear black armbands in respect of the supporter.
The FAI said it continues to work with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the matter.
The Department is providing consular assistance to the man’s family.
With reporting by Hayley Halpin
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say