West Cork search called off for night

Searches for the five missing crewman from a trawler which sank off the West Cork coast have been called off for a second night.

The Tit Bonhomme sank during a squall early yesterday after running aground near its home port of Union Hall.

Throughout today, the air and sea search continued as families waited in Union Hall for news.

The mother of the youngest missing crewman Kevin Kershaw said: "I'm not giving up yet. There's still hope."

It is thought Kevin had gone out on the vessel with a view to considering a career in fishing.

The sole survivor Abdou Abdelgwad, who is from Egypt, also left hospital to visit the pier today. He told this friend that the seas were very rough yesterday, that the vessel's windows had broken and that the wheelhouse had filled with water.

Fellow Egyptian Izar Arafa said Abdou had tried to swim, but lost his lifejacket. He happened to find it after about five minutes and put it back on while in the water. He said Abdou was in the water for about three hours.

Heavy swell prevented divers from reaching the wreck. It is hoped conditions will improve for the search tomorrow.

The missing men are Kevin Kershaw, the skipper Michael Hayes, and three Egyptian crewmen.

Mr Hayes, 52, was originally from Waterford but had been operating the trawler out of Union Hall in West Cork.