Son pays tribute to Cork man who died in US hurricane

The son of a Cork man who died in Florida in the US last week during Hurricane Helene has paid an emotional tribute to him.

71-year-old Aidan Bowles, who was originally from Glanmire in Cork, emigrated to the United States at the age of 20.

Mr Bowles, who worked as a New York attorney during his career, was due to visit family and friends in Ireland in the coming weeks.

Speaking to RTÉ News from his home in Kentucky, Mr Bowles' son Sam said the last conversation he had with his dad was the night before he died.

"I called him around 10pm last Thursday night and he told me there was nothing to worry about, that everything was fine and the storm had already passed him," explained Sam.

"But the storm surge is what caused the issue," he said.

"The next morning around 9.30am, I got a call from the police to say my father was deceased in his home and there was about eight to ten feet of water surrounding it," said Sam.

Mr Bowles was one of nine people in Pinellas County who lost their lives in the hurricane. The hurricane was later downgraded to a storm.

In a statement, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said all the victims had been living in areas under mandatory evacuation orders.

Detectives said Mr Bowles was found in a bedroom in his residence and he "appeared to have drowned from the rising water that entered the residence".

Sam described his father as "a smart and very intelligent person who could light up a room".

"He was a man of many hats. He was a New York attorney when he first emigrated. Then he got into the coal business and became one of the largest exporters and importers of coal out of the Gulf of Mexico."

Read more: At least 100 dead after Storm Helene rips through US

Mr Bowles retired at the age of 55 and moved from Kentucky to Florida.

"He was a superhero. He adopted me when I was a one-year-old. He has done so much for me and for everyone he has come into contact with," said Sam.

Sam said his father had a great sense of humour.

"He was so funny. He knew how to say it and when to say it."

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

In a statement, it said: "As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the detail of individual cases."

Additional reporting Cian Burns