Irishman killed when his car was crushed is named

Ireland's department of foreign affairs named the dead man as Eoin McKenna, from County Monaghan.

Another man originally from the UK but now living in New Zealand was also believed to be among the dead.

Mr McKenna had been resident in New Zealand for about six years.

He worked as a psychiatric nurse and was a well-known figure in his local Gaelic Athletic Association. He moved abroad after marrying a woman from New Zealand.

Former school friends said Mr McKenna, a father of two, had trained and worked in London and also spent some time in Saudi Arabia, where he met his wife.

Fabian Murphy, an old school friend from St McCartan's College in Monaghan, last met Mr McKenna when he returned home for a short visit in July 2009.

"He was as funny as ever. I have known him since we were four years old," Mr Murphy said.

"We'll really miss him."

It is understood the hospital where Mr McKenna worked contacted the family in the Emyvale area of Monaghan to say he had not arrived for work after the quake struck.

Mr McKenna's car was crushed by falling debris.

An Irish department of foreign affairs spokesman said it is believed the second man was married to an Irish woman.

"Of the two that we understand have died, one is a confirmed Irish national," a spokesman said. "The other we now understand may be a non-Irish national married to an Irish national."

The department said it has strong concerns about two other Irish citizens believed to have been in the Christchurch area when the powerful 6.3-magnitude tremor struck.

Vicki Treadell, the British High Commissioner to New Zealand, said her staff are in direct touch with the senior police officer in charge of the mortuary where bodies are being taken.

She said: "My consular manager has kept in regular touch with him, and as and when any of those fatalities are identified as British - if we get that information - we too will be able to confirm whether it is one or more."