Tributes have been paid following the death of an Irish man who passed away following a hiking accident on the island of Sardinia, off the coast of Italy.

Kilkenny man John Bergin, who had lived in Dublin, was reported missing last Thursday when he failed to return from a hike at Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara, between the towns of Masua and Cala Domestica.

The alarm was raised in Italy shortly after and search teams were deployed across the weekend, which included dog units, drones and thermal imagery technology.

The search for the missing 39-year-old was stood down on Monday after his body was found.
Outlets in Italy reported that a search dog had found the man’s body on the side of the Canale de Sa Rocca Niedda.

It was announced on John’s death notice that he will be cremated and a private cremation service will be held in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy on Friday 13.

His funeral mass will take place next Tuesday at 11am in St Canice’s Church on Dean Street, Co Kilkenny after which his ashes will be laid to rest with his parents at St Kiernan’s Cemetery.

Mourners posted tributes online, with one saying: “I’m deeply saddened to hear about John’s passing. I always enjoyed our chats over a cuppa. Such a lovely soul who has gone too soon.”

An old friend said: “Spent many happy hours talking to Butch about music, literature and the oddities of human behaviour. Always enjoyed his eccentricity and unusual takes on life. I was so sad to hear the news. My condolences to his family.”

Another offered his condolences to the family, saying: “A great man, and a great conversationalist, a great mind and a great taste in music, literature, cinema and the arts.”