Tragic Conal will be buried on Sunday.
Gardaí say they are trying to piece together the last movements of Ardara man Conal Gildea on the night he died, with investigations focused on a floating music bar on a boat on the River Liffey.
In a statement issued in Dublin officers say they are NOT treating his death as suspicious, but are working on one theory that the 25-year-old much-loved GAA player may have fallen off the side of the barge when he left friends to go to a cash machine.
He was last seen in the early hours of Saturday morning – possibly around 3am – but the alarm was not raised until he failed to return home on Monday.
The Garda Water Unit carried out a search of the River Liffey. His body was recovered on Monday in Grand Canal Dock.
Gardai say the floating music venue had 50 to 70 customers last Friday night and early on Saturday morning. They are trying to trace all those who were there.
“We’re investigating all the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and the subsequent recovery of his body,” said a Garda spokesperson.
Gardaí appealed to any person who was in the vicinity of Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Britain Quay, or on board a floating music venue between 3am and 8am on Saturday morning to contact them.
A number of people have already come forward already and are assisting with the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Pearse Street on 01- 6669000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
A large crowd of people met Mr Gildea’s remains when he arrived home in Ardara tonight – with members of the GAA club forming a guard of honour.
His funeral Mass will take place at the Church of the Holy Family at 11am on Sunday.
His death has shocked the local community where he is remembered as a fun-loving, charming and loveable young man. Conal had excelled at gaelic games.