TRIBUTES have been paid to those who lost their lives in yesterday’s fishing tragedy off Co Donegal.
The victims have been named locally as details emerged the occupants of the capsized 10ft boat had spent up to four hours in the cold waters.
The 16-year-old boy who tragically lost his life was Thomas Weir.
He was living in Derry’s Shantallow area but was originally from Scotland.
Thomas had been airlifted to Altnagelvin Hospital but doctors and nurses were unable to save his life.
The first man to die was named locally as Gerry Doherty from Malin.
He also lived in Carndonagh but was believed to be recently living in Burt.
Local councillor Albert Doherty knew Mr Doherty having spent a number of years at school with him in Carndonagh.
He said it was “tough news for the local area” to hear that he had passed away.
Cllr Doherty paid tribute to him as a hard worker who had previously travelled to Australia and England for work.
The councillor also said Mr Doherty’s father had died in a drowning accident years ago.
Thomas Weir is understood to be a relative of Mr Doherty.
Another man in his 50s has survived the tragedy.
He was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital for treatment and has since been discharged.
He is understood to be from Monaghan but had been living in Derry.
There is no indication yet as to what caused the boat to capsize and conditions on the day were good.
An investigation is now under way.
A spokesman for Malin Head Coastguard said “Conditions of that day were excellent, there was very good visibility, the water was flat there was no gale force warnings or small craft warnings in operation.”
Joe Joyce, spokesman for the Lough Swilly LIfeboat said that the fishing community around Malin Head are “well used to tragedies” as “a number of people have been lost in that area over the years.”
“It’s a particularly treacherous bit of water.
“Although conditions on the day were good the seas around Malin Head are some of the most treacherous in the world particularly at spring tide which is what we had the currents can run any way,” added Mr Joyce.
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