Penneys heir Barry Ryan drowned trying to save tragic son and son's girlfriend in Cork

Sea searches continue for his son Barry Davis Ryan, who drowned trying to save his young girlfriend Niamh O'Connor

Hero dad Barry Ryan who drowned trying to save his tragic son and his son's girlfriend has been described as "a great family man."

Baltimore Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Carroll paid a glowing tribute to the dad-of-two as sea searches continue for his son, Barry Davis Ryan who drowned trying to save his young girlfriend Niamh O'Connor on Tuesday night.

The Ryan family are well-known in the business community having founded Irish retail giant Penneys.

Barry Ryan is the son of Primark and Penneys founder Arthur Ryan while Barry Davis Ryan is his grandson.

Barry Snr worked in the retailer along with his son, while Barry Jnr's tragic girlfriend Niamh was also an employee there.

Penneys released a statement today confirming the two deaths and the search for Barry Jnr.

It said: "We can confirm that two members of Penneys staff lost their lives in an accident off the coast of west Cork on Tuesday 30 June and that a third person is still missing, also a member of Penneys staff.

"All were much loved and respected colleagues and our thoughts are with their families at this very difficult time."

Niamh, from Glanmire, was swept to her death as she stood on rocks at the famous Beacon close to the mouth of Baltimore Harbour.

Barry Junior, 21, dived in to save Niamh, 20, but he too got into difficulty.

Niamh O'Connor, 20, from Glanmire, Co Cork

Hero dad Barry senior, 51, also tragically perished after he jumped into the sea to save the young couple.

His teenage daughter Charlotte, 14, had been walking with the trio and she ran to raise the alarm but despite a quick response, Barry Senior and Niamh were pulled lifeless from the water and later pronounced dead.

Barry Junior's body has still not been found but local lifeboat crews, navy divers and the Irish Coastguard are all involved in an extensive operation to recover his remains.

30/06/15 The scene in Baltimore, west cork where four search and rescue divers are looking for a missing person who fell off the cliff earlier this evening. Pic. Emma Jervis

And as the quiet West Cork village of Baltimore united in grief today, Cllr Carroll said Barry was a devoted family man who died a hero.

He told the Irish mirror: "I met him the first day he moved here from Dublin and we always shared a joke and a laugh.

"He was great fun, a good man, and very devoted to Ann and his two kids.

"Ann is from Harris family, a very well-known family here in Baltimore and everyone's heart is just broken for her and her daughter.

"Three deaths in this small place, just at the start of the summer. It's so tragic."

Culled