Man's body recovered from Carlingford Lough after fishing boat sank

THE BODY OF a man has been recovered from Carlingford Lough after a fishing boat sank on Tuesday afternoon. 

A search and rescue operation began at the fjord between Co Louth and Co Down shortly after 12.30pm when a member of the public contacted the Irish Coast Guard’s Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin.

One man was recovered from the vessel and transferred to the care of HSE paramedics at Greenore harbour on Tuesday afternoon. 

The operation concluded later that evening when the body of the second man was recovered by divers from Dundalk Sub Aqua Search and Rescue.

A spokesperson said all support organisations from Northern Ireland and the Republic were involved at the shore. 

The Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Belfast coordinated the response.

An RNLI lifeboat from Kilkeel and the Greenore Irish Coast Guard boat were involved, along with coastguard rescue teams from Newcastle and Kilkeel.

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The Irish Coast Guard’s Rescue 116 helicopter also took part in the search and a Royal Navy helicopter assisted. Gardaí were also on the scene.

The sunken vessel, the Jas Josephine, was a small fishing boat registered in Newry and based at Carlingford Marina.

Local Sinn Féin councillor and member of the Cooley community alert group Fiona Mhic Conchoille told The Journal the boat sank within two minutes off Greenore. 

In a statement on social media, Mhic Conchoille said the incident was “very sad”. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this tragedy. We also hold the entire fishing community in our thoughts at this difficult time,” she said. 

She thanked the Greenore Coast Guard, RNLI, Dundalk Sub-Aqua Team, local Carlingford gardaí and all other emergency services and volunteer groups who assisted “for their tireless efforts, professionalism, and dedication during this difficult operation.”

Northern Ireland environment minister Andrew Muir said in a statement that the sinking of the boat would “come as a great shock to many”.

The North Down MLA said his thoughts were “with all those affected by this incident – particularly the families of those involved and the wider fishing community in Carlingford”.

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