Seaman dies suddenly on board naval ship docked in Cork

The LÉ Róisín, right, on which 39-year-old Conor Kiely was found unresponsive on Friday. File picture: Neil Michael

A sailor has died suddenly while aboard a navy ship docked in Cork on Friday.

39-year-old Conor Kiely was found in an unresponsive state by his colleagues on the LÉ Róisín on Friday afternoon.

Paramedics were called to the ship but he was pronounced dead a short time after. 

Leading Seaman Kiely was a Cork native. He joined the Naval Service in 2006 and entered the Seaman's Branch, qualifying as a Seaman Gunner in 2007. 

He served in a number of positions ashore and afloat during his career. At sea, he served onboard the LÉ Aisling, LÉ Niamh, LÉ Orla, LÉ William Butler Yeats, and most recently as a crew member of LÉ Róisín. 

He successfully completed a Potential NCO Course in 2013, and went on to use his skills and experience as an instructor in the Naval College.

The Officer Commanding Naval Operations Command in the Naval Service, Captain (NS) Kenneth Minehane said: 

The members of the Naval Service have sadly lost a shipmate and friend. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family at this sad time. Our dearly departed colleague will be missed and never forgotten.

Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, and Commodore Michael Moore, expressed their condolences to the family and friends of Mr Kiely. 

President Michael D Higgins extended his sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased.

“It is with great sorrow that members of the Naval Service will have heard of the passing of Leading Seaman Conor Kiely,

"L/S Kiely will be remembered by all those with whom he served on a number of the Irish vessels, including the LÉ Aisling, LÉ Niamh, LÉ Orla, LÉ William Butler Yeats and LÉ Róisín," he added.