Storm Desmond victim Ivan Vaughan released for burial following post mortem

The remains of the popular performer have now released back to his family following Tuesday’s post mortem - after which the Garda said “for all intents and purposes, it looks like he drowned”.

Mr Vaughan became a victim of Storm Desmond as he drove home after a Sunday night gig in Glaslough, county Monaghan, to his county Tyrone home.

It is understood his car got trapped in flood waters in a dip on a minor road between Glaslough and Caledon.

After getting out of the car, Gardai said it appeared he was swept away in the flood waters.

His body was found around 10m away after a search operation on Monday morning.

Ivan’s distraught wife told the BBC it feels like she is in the middle of a bad dream.

“It was 12 o’clock when we got a call from the guards to say they had found his car but no sign of him. That was a bit of a blow,” Letitia Vaughan said.

“I was hoping he was safe, he had managed to get out of this and found refuge somewhere.”

But she said Irish police took her to the scene, where flood water covered over three quarters of the car.

“I thought he had come off the road and driven into a lake,” she added.

“They reckon he got disorientated in the force of the water and it took him. He had tried hard to get out. He could swim. But I would not have made it out.

“It feels a bit like a bad dream and hopefully I will waken up tomorrow or the next day.”

A lifelong friend of Ivan’s has paid tribute to the “true gentleman and entertaining performer” after his tragic death.

Vinny O’Donnell, who has known Ivan all his life said his loss has shook the entire community.

Ivan, who performed under the name Simon Scott, grew up in Dungannon but more recently lived in Caledon.

Speaking about the loss of his friend, Vinny said: “Ivan will be sadly missed. I had known him a lifetime. We were born and reared in Dungannon and came up through the show-band scene together.

“He was a lifelong friend and I always respected his professionalism. He was a great entertainer and performer.”

Many have also paid tribute to Ivan online, while other reminisced about nights they heard him performing.

“Very sad news,” said one fan, “I heard him sing in the Glenavon a few months ago - fantastic singer, thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

Another added: “Rest in peace Simon Scott - a lovely gentleman - will be sadly missed.”

Others extended their sympathies to his family on hearing “the awful news”.