A book of condolence has been opened in Ballybricken Garda Station in Waterford city for those who wish to pay their respects to Garda David Hearne.

The Waterford-based garda died in a diving accident off Hook Head in Wexford on Saturday afternoon.

Originally from Wexford, the 46 year old was stationed in Ballybricken Garda Station, as a member of the Roads Policing Unit.

Garda Hearne had received a certificate of bravery for his rescue of a man from the Colligan river in 2014.

That was just one of many rescues the Fethard native was involved in – he had saved seven lives in the space of just three years and was widely hailed as a hero.

Sgt James Twomey who worked with Gda Hearne in the roads unit in Waterford says he’ll be deeply missed by his colleagues:

“A very competent and valued member, he’ll be deeply missed by his colleagues.

“Dave’s passion was water safety and diving and it’s a terrible tragedy…especially as a man responsible for saving so many lives out of the sea and out of the river here. All the station is very shocked and our thoughts and our prayers are with his wife and his four children at the moment.”

Garda Hearne’s funeral mass will take place in Our Lady Star of the Sea church Duncannon, Co Wexford  at 2pm tomorrow (Tuesday).