‘It’s a dreadful tragedy – we hope they’re at peace’

THE last person to see the victims of Sunday’s tragedy at Coonanna alive has paid tribute to the three men.

Noreen O’Neill – who lives close to Coonanna Pier – was heading out for her usual morning swim when she met the trio as they prepared to set out on their ill-fated fishing trip.

“They were often in the area, especially this summer when I think they were down every week. Everyone would have known them to see,” she said.

“I passed and we said hello. One of them joked about how early it was for me to be heading for a swim. They probably thought I was a bit mad to be out swimming so early,” said Noreen.

“They all seemed to be in good form. They all had life jackets on and they were all wearing the right sort of clothes for the weather.

“It’s hard to know what happened. The sea didn’t seem that rough, and I’ve seen boats go out in worse, but you never know what its like further out. I always stay in the harbour where it’s calm.

“It’s dreadfully sad. They were just three friends out to enjoy a day’s fishing and maybe catch a bit of dinner for their families. We hope they’re at peace now,” said Ms O’Neill.

Mayor of Kerry Norma Foley expressed sympathy to the men’s families, friends and loved ones on behalf of the county.

“The people of Kerry are shocked and saddened at this appalling tragedy. I want to express my condolences to the men’s families at this very sad time,” said Mayor Foley.

“There is a small but valued Latvian community in Kerry, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Latvian community and the men’s friends and neighbours at this time.

“I have no doubt that the people of south Kerry and beyond will do everything they can to support the bereaved through this difficult period,” said the Mayor.

The men’s devastated families and friends are being supported by the Gardaí and by staff from the Latvian Embassy in Dublin.

In the wake of Sunday’s tragedy there has also been calls for better warnings – detailing potentially dangerous local conditions – to be provided for those who may not be familiar with the risks in specific areas.

“People who come to this country may not be as au fait with the sea and weather conditions which those of us who grew up here near the sea would know about from older people and our families. We need to make sure sea safety campaigns and awareness of local conditions is communicated to them,” said south Kerry-based Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Cahill.