‘It’s a terrible shock’ – Tributes paid after 26-year-old Irish man dies suddenly in Australia

A tight-knit, rural Wexford community has been left reeling by the news that a 26-year-old local man has died suddenly in Australia.

A native of Ballindaggin, Val Brooks had only emigrated to Australia around a month ago. It is believed that he may have died in a tragic drowning accident.

Val’s family, his devastated parents Val Snr and Anne, have been liaising with the department of foreign affairs and are making their way to Australia to finalise arrangements.

Val was a talented tradesman and worked for both Karl Cullen Fitted Kitchens and JV Kitchens in Tullow.

He comes from a very well-known and well-respected family and the tight-knit local community has been rallying around them since the news broke.

“The whole community is devastated by this news,” local parish priest Fr Jim Fegan said. “Val was a young man heading off to Australia to make a new start in his life. It’s a terrible shock.”

Local councillor Kathleen Codd Nolan said that the news had sent shockwaves through the entire area.

“Everybody is just shocked and devastated,” she said. “I know Val Sr is very involved in the Ballindaggin Pipe Band and the entire family is very well thought of in the local area.

“This is a very small area and everybody knows everybody,” she continued. “People are just genuinely upset for Val’s poor parents, his siblings and the rest of the family and our thoughts are with them.”

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