![\"Whitehaven](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3_Whitehaven-Beach-Whitsundays-Islands.jpg\")
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays Islands, where the Irishman died on New Year’s Eve.(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nThe man lost his life swimming in the sea close to the Great Barrier Reef in QueenslandWhitehaven Beach, Whitsundays Islands, where the Irishman died on New Year’s Eve.(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
An Irish backpacker has drowned while swimming off a popular beach in Australia.<\/p>\n
The male victim, who was aged 35, lost his life early on New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n
He died while swimming off Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Islands in Queensland in the north east of the country, police said. It is near the Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\n
He was found unresponsive in water at around 11am.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1759950316_262_0_OTOOLE-HEALY.jpg\")
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The Irish Mirror’s Crime Writers Michael O’Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up<\/a> and get it delivered to your inbox every week<\/p>\n The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is aware of the incident.<\/p>\n It said in a statement: \u201cThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the incident and stands ready to provide consular assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n The man was one of three people to drown in Australia in a 24 hour period.<\/p>\n The two other victims died on New Year\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n In New South Wales, a 25 year old died when she was swept out to sea near Sydney.<\/p>\n And a 45-year-old woman died at Dunbogan Beach later that day.<\/p>\n That beach is also in New South Wales and is some 260kms north of Sydney.<\/p>\n