News broke yesterday of a tragic accident off the coast of Kilkee, Co. Clare and now the woman who sadly died has been named.
Caitriona Lucas, mother-of-two and Doolin volunteer, drowned yesterday after the vessel she and two other coast guards were on overturned.
The crew were looking for a man who went missing from Lisseycasey when tragedy struck.
Operations manager with the Irish Coast Guard, Decan Geoghegan told Newstalk that the team had radioed to alert them they were coming home shortly before they sent out a mayday signal.
Dreadful tragedy in #Kilkee.
— Sinead Spain (@sineadspain) September 12, 2016
Caitriona Lucas' husband Bernard is also a member of Doolin Coastguard pic.twitter.com/ZgNjllDxva
Another unit from Kilkee and the rescue helicopter from Shannon were called to help with the rescue.
The investigation into the incident has now begun after Caitriona became the first ever Irish Coast Guard volunteer to be killed during a rescue.
Remembering Caitriona Lucas who died trying to save lives. All heroes whose bravery goes unheralded. pic.twitter.com/Z5QPX7aIzO
— Declan Varley (@declanvarley) September 12, 2016
Tributes are now being paid by many including Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross.
“This is an appalling tragedy; the loss of a brave and valiant woman engaged in the most heroic of ad unselfish of duties.
“Such remarkable courage and heroism in the service of others is rarely equalled and never surpassed.”
Caitriona worked as a librarian for the past 16 years and is survived by her husband Bernard and two children.
