Storm’s first victim is Irish

A 33-YEAR-OLD Irishman is presumed dead after being swept out to sea by a “huge” Hurricane Katia wave as the storm hit the US before arriving in Ireland last night.

Katia is believed to have claimed its first fatality as Thomas Clarke from Co Cavan, was hit by a giant wave in Monhegan Island, Maine, while sightseeing by the ocean before a wedding at which his friend was the groom.

Mr Clarke was dragged into the sea at around 1pm local time (6pm Irish time) on Friday while walking on rocks close to a cave near Norton Lodge.