Cork man, 20, who died while on ski trip in France named locally 

The 20-year-old from Blarney fell ill while skiing in the French Alps with the Cork Snow Sports Society

Late Cian O'Brien, Tower Blarney, Cork.

The 20-year-old Cork man who died suddenly while on a ski trip in France has been named locally as Cian O’Brien, from Blarney.

Mr O’Brien, an apprentice electrician, was travelling in the French Alps with the Cork Snow Sports Society, it is understood.

While many members of the society study at University College Cork (UCC), the group is not affiliated with the university and includes non-UCC members.

Mr O’Brien became ill at the French resort and died over the weekend.

The young man was from the Tower area of Blarney and played soccer with his local football club, according to local sources.

He was widely described as a popular young man from a highly respected family deeply embedded in the local community.

Arrangements are now being made to repatriate his body.

Local Fine Gael councillor Damian Boylan said the community was in shock following the tragedy.

“It is every parent’s worst nightmare for something to happen to their child. My deepest sympathies are with his family,” Mr Boylan said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.

This story has been amended to reflect that Mr O'Brien was not a student at UCC.