Kilkenny hiker found dead in Sardinia named locally

The hiker who was found dead on the Italian island of Sardinia has been named locally.

Originally from Kilkenny, John Bergin, aged 39, had been reported missing by his family last Thursday while on a holiday with his siblings, after failing to return from a hike.

Following an extensive search, his body was found on Sunday near the Sa Rocca Niedda canal.

Mr Bergin and his family had been hiking the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara, a trail which runs along the coastline, between the towns of Masua and Cala Domestica.

In a statement shared by the funeral home La Ginestra, his family thanked the Emergency services, the helicopter pilots, drone operations, firefighters, the Carabinieri (Italian national police force), as well as the Irish Embassy and all of those who helped.

“…They found our brother John and took care of him, we also thank the La Ginestra funeral home. We will be forever grateful for the support and love that the Sardinians have shown us in the last days,” they said.