Body recovered from Down harbour

The body of an elderly boatman has been recovered from the water at a harbour in the North.

The victim, 84, was discovered in Groomsport, Co Down, this morning after his dinghy overturned.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Cllr Alan Chambers said the victim was well known in the village and had spent his life dedicated to the sea.

A dog was with him at the time.

Mr Chamber said: “He was a polite, quiet and unassuming person who lived for his interest in the sea and boats.

“It was a passion he shared with his many friends who have boats moored at Groomsport and his daily presence in the village, particularly around the harbour, will be sadly missed.”

He said he was using the dinghy to access his boat in the harbour early this morning.