Conditions 'extremely turbulent' in Doonbeg where fishermen died after being swept out to sea

It is understood that five men were fishing in that area. The notorious location has been the scene of several tragedies in the past

The bodies of two fishermen have been recovered from the sea off the County Clare coast the afternoon. Picture: Press 22

Sea conditions were "extremely turbulent at the base of the cliff" in Doonbeg in Co Clare, on Tuesday, where two fishermen died after being swept out to sea 

The two men were washed off the rocks and into the sea by a rogue wave in Pulleen Bay, at an area known as the Blue Pool between Kilkee and Doonbeg. 

It is understood that five men were fishing in the area, which has been the scene of several tragedies in the past.

The alarm was raised at around 2.15pm. Initial calls to the emergency services suggested the incident had occurred in the Doonbeg River in nearby Doonbeg village. When further information became available, emergency crews were redirected to Pulleen Bay, and a major search got underway.

Divisional Controller for the Valentia Marine Rescue Coordination Centre, John Draper, said treacherous conditions on Tuesday meant that the chances of survival for the two men had been limited.

Mr Draper said that a call had been received at the Rescue Coordination Centre that two anglers had been swept off the rocks at the Blue Pool, which is close to Doonbeg.

Conditions at the time were treacherous with waves hitting the top of the cliffs, he said. As a result the initial reaction from the watch officer in Valentia was to call the Coast Guard helicopter from Shannon, the RNLI, along with Kilkee Coast Guard and Doonbeg Coast Guard. 

Gardaí were also on the scene, as well as the fire service and some units of civil defence.

Mr Draper acknowledged that there may have been some initial confusion about the exact location of the tragedy, which may have been due to language difficulties. But once resources got on scene, there were no delays.

“We understand that the sea conditions really were extremely turbulent at the base of the cliff, so obviously, there were very challenging conditions had anyone gone in the water there," he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland on Wednesday. 

"The chances of survival were certainly limited in that scenario there.” 

There are a number of “risky” areas along that stretch of coastline popular with anglers, Mr Draper added, so the public needed to keep that in mind and to take precautions before they go near the coast.

Both men have yet to be formally identified, but it's understood they are non-Irish nationals, possibly from Central Asia.

Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out at University Hospital Limerick.