13 January 2012 Last updated at 06:05 ET

Terry Davey dies while on trip to Pattaya, Thailand

The beach resort is 150 kms east of the Thai capital Bangkok

A well-known businessman from Newry has died while on a trip to Pattaya, Thailand.

It is understood Terry Davey drowned in the beach resort on 8 January.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said they had been made aware of Mr Davey's death and were providing consular assistance to his family.

Independent councillor Jackie Patterson said he was shocked to hear of the father of three's death.

"Terry was a friend of mine from school days," he said.

"He was a very popular businessman in Newry. He was well-known to the whole community and very popular.

"He was a great footballer and his father played too.

"The whole community, like myself, is devastated and shocked at the news, particularly when something like this happens so far away."

It is not clear when Mr Davey's body will be repatriated.