Irish fishing village in mourning after two fishermen lost – Fishupdate.com

Irish fishing village in mourning after two fishermen lost Published:  15 August, 2012

THE Irish South west coast fishing community was in mourning today the after the bodies of two fishermen were found near Spanish Point off Co Clare.

The two men have been named as Michael Galvin, who was in his sixties and Noel Dickinson who is thought  to be in his thirties. Both were experienced fishermen. They were on board the fishing vessel Lady Eileen which was last seen around lunchtime on Monday, but failed to return at 5pm that evening. She was then reported as missing around two hours later.  The Lady Eileen was based in the busy fishing port of Quilty. 

The Irish Coastguard Service launched one of their Sikorsky long range helicopters and the search operation was also assisted by the local lifeboat and police divers. An Irish naval service vessel was on its way to the scene when the bodies were found.

As is customary in close knit fishing communities relatives and friends gathered on the quayside at Quilty to await news of the search. An inquiry into the sinking and loss of life will be held later.

The incident is the latest in a series of  Irish fishing tragedies over the past 18 months. Although they are unrelated, they serve to illustrate that, despite improved life saving equipment and rescue services, fishing remains arguably the most dangerous occupation of all. 

Meanwhile, fishing and coastal communities further north are appealing to the Irish Government not to close a coastguard station at Malin Head which has helped save several lives in recent weeks. A decision on the station’s  future is expected in the autumn.