Roses placed in sea in memory of lives lost

The survivor of the sinking of the Tit Bonhomme and a daughter of missing skipper Michael Hayes lay five bouquets of roses in the water at Union Hall pier last night, one for each life lost.

A poignant village ceremony was marked by prayers in English, Irish and Arabic as relatives of those still missing stood shoulder to shoulder with rescue crews, gardaí, support workers and volunteers. Up to 150 people gathered to acknowledge the sinking of the 60ft trawler, seven days previously.

Michael Hayes’s sister Ann, a member of a Dungarvan based religious order, said her brother had particular affection for the Serenity Prayer, which she recited as the assembled crowd bowed their heads in respect.