Inquest hears harrowing evidence of last moments of Coast Guard volunteer Caitriona Lucas

The 41-year-old librarian and mother-of-two might have survived had she still been wearing her safety helmet

Caitriona Lucas was assisting members of Kilkee Coast Guard unit because they were short of volunteers.

Harrowing evidence of the final moments of Irish Coast Guard volunteer Caitriona Lucas who died while assisting in a search and rescue operation off the west coast, seven years ago, was given by her crew mates at the start of her inquest on Monday.

Ms Lucas, of the Doolin Coast Guard unit, was assisting members of Kilkee Coast Guard unit because they were short of volunteers. She was the first Coast Guard member to die on active duty.