Search for bodies goes on in calm water
Extensive sea and land searches for skipper of the Tit Bonhomme, Michael Hayes, 52, and Egyptian crewman, Saied Aly Eldin, 24, will resume today.
The helicopter was aided by boats from Union Hall and trawlers from Mr Hayes’ native Waterford, along with ribs, kayaks and multiple dives in calm water around the wreckage at Adam Island and at Long Point on the eastern side of the bay.
Sixty civil defence crews were joined by a volunteer crew of 30 off-duty gardaí.
The search operation was complemented by the Derrynane community rescue boat and civil defence teams searching the foreshore and harbour.
Liaison officer Garda Pauline Reid said the mood at the pier was despondent as exhausted relatives of the two missing fishermen prayed for the return of their loved ones.
Caitlín Ní Aodha, the wife of the missing skipper, had expressed high hopes for the return of her husband while Saied’s parents maintained a pier-side vigil for their son.
The funeral Mass of the youngest crew member takes place tomorrow.
The remains of Kevin Kershaw, 21, who lived in Clonakilty, Co Cork, but was originally from Dublin, will be removed from O’Sullivan’s Funeral Home at 5pm to Clonakilty Parish Church, where Requiem Mass takes place tomorrow at noon.
Kevin’s father, Patrick Kershaw, said his thoughts are with the families still waiting for their loved ones at the pier in Union Hall.
“It will be hard for us over the next few days but at least if you have a body to bury you have something.
“I’ve been thinking about the poor people left waiting, the skipper’s wife and children and the Egyptians. It’s a situation where you think your loved one is going to walk through the door at any moment. It’s an awful anxiety for them.”
Mr Kershaw will be laid to rest at Bohernabreena Cemetery in Tallaght on Thursday after a local service at Priory Church in Tallaght that morning.
Attia Shaban, 26, will be repatriated to Egypt today, accompanied by his friend Mido Elgharabawy, who lives in Skibbereen, Co Cork. Mr Elgharabawy said he felt it was important to make the journey. “He is the only one with no family here. I feel its important as a gesture that I go with him.”
Tomorrow, Abdo Mohamad, who survived the sinking, will accompany his brother Wael’s body back to Rosseta in Egypt.
Fr Jerry Condon, who travelled from Waterford, paid tribute to support for the Hayes family. “They are a great family, they have great friends, so many of whom are here today from Waterford.”
* Donations can be made to AIB in Skibbereen.
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