Three generations of family die in fishing tragedy

Four men died and a teenager was missing today after a small boat sank during a fishing trip off the south coast.

Unconfirmed reports suggested that the casualties include three generations of the same family.

The tragedy happened near the village of Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford, when a small boat, carrying 10 people - including fathers and sons - went down.

Five people, four of them understood to be boys between the ages of six and 12, were rescued and taken to hospital after the alarm was raised.

Rescuers were continuing to search the area for another boy, aged 14.

The bodies of the four men were recovered and taken ashore at Fethard.

It was not immediately clear how the fishermen got into trouble, but the alert was raised shortly before lunchtime, some two hours after the party set off from the quayside at Fethard in the 26-foot vessel, the Pisces.

The boat was reported to be taking on water and a distress call was received on shore.

The local lifeboat, and another from the nearby seaside village of Kilmore, and a marine rescue service helicopter were involved in the search and rescue operation.

Two other fishing vessels were the first to reach the scene, but found that the four men had already drowned.

It was understood that the members of the group, which set off from Fethard in the morning, were largely from one family, and included a well-known businessman from nearby New Ross, as well as his son-in-law.

Junior Marine Minister John Browne, who represents Co Wexford in the Dail, visited the scene tonight to get a first-hand report on the on-going search.

He said: ‘‘Obviously, our thoughts are with the families of those lost in this terrible tragedy.

‘‘I would like to convey my sympathies to them and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time.’’

The minister confirmed that a full investigation into the incident would be carried out by Ireland’s Marine Casualties Investigation Board.

Two of the rescued boys were clinging to a floating barrel when they were rescued.

The adult skipper of the fishing boat was also thought to have been saved.

Conditions were calm but very foggy at the time of the accident, with visibility restricted to around 200 yards.