On Saturday, Alan Drennan left for Ibiza with 10 friends for what should have been a week of sun and celebrations.
The mechanic and doorman from Newtownabbey, County Antrim, was found dead in his hotel room less than 24 hours after landing and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of his death.
Alan would have celebrated his 21st birthday on Wednesday and friends on the Spanish island paid tribute to him by gathering to watch the sunset as they played his favourite song.
Friend, David Patterson, posted a moving black and white image on Facebook page 'The Lad Bible', and asked for it to be shared to show just how well people pull together in times of grief.
'You're half the world away' - Image via Facebook/David Patterson
The post read in full: "Tragedy brings out the best in people. Alan was 21 years of age and he died on his first day of Ibiza there last week he didn't even get his suit case unlocked. All of his friends went down to the local park overlooking the sea and sang his favourite song and let lanterns off in his memory. His mates all banded together and have raised over 12 thousand pounds in two days to go towards his funeral and towards the charity that's bringing him home to rest. This pic is of just a few of his friends that stayed in Ibiza to set up a memorial in mambos while the sun went down they played his favourite trance song ... satellite you're half a world away. It would be amazing if you could share this story as I'm sure most of his friends and family have this awesome page. They have done so much for their fallen friends family [sic]".
The post has garnered over 4,000 shares in 24 hours, with hundreds leaving messages of condolence to family and friend's of the young man.
Image via Facebook/Ryan McCormick
At home, hundreds gathered to release balloons and lanterns at a vigil at Loughshore Park in Jordanstown.
The Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund, set-up in memory of a Newry man that was killed in a hit-and-run accident in New York in 2013, will cover the costs of bringing Alan's body back home to Ireland. To make a donation, click here.
