Irish woman drowns while on holiday

An Irishwoman died tragically on holiday in Portugal on Wednesday night.

Ava Dinan, who was in her 50s and from Cork, was on holidays with her former husband, Anthony, at his villa at the exclusive Parque da Floresta Golf and Leisure Resort near Lagos on the western Algarve.

She was found dead, believed drowned, in the villa’s swimming pool.

Mr Dinan is the former managing director of Thomas Crosbie Holdings (TCH), owners of the Irish Examiner and Evening Echo newspapers.

A spokesperson for the Parque da Floresta Leisure Resort described the incident as a “tragic accident”.

“The Vigia Group’s staff and management extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mrs Dinan,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said last night that it had not yet been asked to provide consular assistance.

It is expected the family will make arrangements for the repatriation of the remains.

Ms Dinan, who was originally from Ballyphehane, lived in Carrigaline and is survived by her children, Aoife and Steve, who works for the Evening Echo.

Mr Dinan was a prominent figure in Irish media when he resigned from TCH in May 2010 after 30 years with the company.