John Quinn. Photo: Alison Laredo

Father of Mayo Olympian dies in Strasbourg hiking tragedy

CASTLEBAR and Co. Mayo has been jolted by the news of the tragic death in a climbing accident of John Quinn, father of Irish Olympian swimmer Nicholas.

John (59) lost his footing and fell some distance while hiking with friends in the Vosges Mountains near Strasbourg in eastern France on Saturday.

A native of Waterford, he has been living in Strasbourg – where he worked in the EU – for the past five years with his wife, Mary (nee Sheridan), a native of Turlough Road, Castlebar.

Mary and her family, Darragh, Fionnuala, and Nicholas, were in Scotland at the weekend when they heard the devastating news.

Nicholas (24), swam for Ireland in the 2016 Olympics. He is currently swimming and studying for an MSc in Performance Psychology at the University of Edinburgh.

The entire family flew to Strasbourg immediately on hearing news of the tragedy.

They are being supported and consoled by EU staff members in Strasbourg.

John is also mourned and will be sadly missed by his mother, Mai Quinn, and three sisters, who reside in Waterford.

At the time of going to press, no arrangements had been made for the funeral.

However, it is understood the remains will be flown back to Ireland.