Family and friends prepare for Caitriona Lucas funeral after sea tragedy

The funeral will take place this morning of Coastguard volunteer Caitriona Lucas, who died during a search and recovery operation in Kilkee in Clare on Monday.

President Michael D Higgins has expressed his condolences to her family and Sports Minister Shane Ross has also paid tribute to Ms Lucas describing her loss as an "appalling tragedy".

National flag flies@ half mast to honour memory&selfless dedication of Caitríona Lucas, Kilkee Coastguard. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire uirthi

— Enda Kenny (@EndaKennyTD) September 15, 2016

Caitriona Lucas was part of a three-person crew thrown into the sea when their boat capsized in difficult weather conditions during a search operation with the Irish Coast Guard.

The 41-year-old librarian with Clare County Council leaves behind a son, Ben (20), daughter Emma (18) and her husband Bernard, who is also a member of the Doolin Coast Guard unit.

Irish Coast Guard operations manager Gerard O'Flynn said she was an amazing colleague.

"She'll be hugely missed. She just wanted to serve their community and has such a proud record of (doing that)," he said.

Funeral mass will take place at Liscannor Church at 11am, with burial afterwards at Kilmacreehy cemetery.