Rescue 116 remembrance event is cancelled due to poor weather

A CEREMONY to mark the anniversary of the R116 tragedy has been cancelled due to expected adverse weather.

The tragic helicopter crash on March 14 last year saw Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, Captain Mark Duffy, winch operator Paul Ormsby and winchman Ciaran Smith lose their lives. While the bodies of Capt Fitzpatrick and Capt Duffy were found, the search continues for the remains of Mr Ormsby and Mr Smith.The tragedy struck the Coast Guard hard, coming as it did just months after volunteer Catriona Lucas died on September 12 2016 while on a search with the Doolin/Kilkee Coast Guard Unit.

Greystones Coast Guard had intended to hold a remembrance ceremony at the marina this evening ( Wednesday). The ceremony was to incl ude music by a bagpiper and the release of five flares at sea by the Greystones Coast Guard boat and Wicklow RNLI’s Annie Blaker lifeboat – one for each life lost.

Unfortunately, organisers took the decision to cancel the event because of the high winds and rain forecast. Meanwhile, Greystones Coast Guard will pay tribute to their colleagues at the St Patrick’s Day Parade this Saturday, March 17.