A mother of two children tragically lost her life while searching for a man who had gone missing.
41-year-old Catriona Lucas, a volunteer with the Doolin coast guard, was in a rigid inflatable boat (RIB), searching for missing teacher David McMahon.
She was part of a three-person crew searching off the coast around Kilkee Bay, when the boat she was in capsized in difficult weather conditions.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross said:" It was with extreme sadness that I learned of the tragedy which occurred this afternoon in the waters off Kilkee, Co Clare."
He added: "Catriona was a member of that extraordinary group of men and women who dedicate their skills, time and passion so that others may be safe on our coastlines. This is an appalling tragedy; the loss of a brave and valiant woman engaged in the most heroic of and unselfish of duties.Such remarkable courage and heroism in the service of others is rarely equalled and never surpassed. On behalf of myself and my Department I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Caitriona – a woman who made the ultimate sacrifice in her service to others.I would like to wish those two volunteers, who are recovering from this appalling trauma in hospital this evening, speedy and fulsome recoveries."
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