Triple tragedy

THE recovery of the body of Barry Davis Ryan, aged 20, from the sea at Baltimore in West Cork, comes 10 days after his father Barry Ryan and his girlfriend, Niamh O’Connor, entered the sea and drowned while they were out walking on June 30.

The triple tragedy made an impression right through the communities of West Cork and amongst those who knew Ms O’Connor. That two lives were lost while trying to save one just makes the tragedy all the more heartbreaking.

Barry Davis Ryan’s body was found late yesterday morning after a massive search effort involving almost 70 divers got under way. The nationwide response to the request for assistance in the sea search, carried out under very trying conditions, was a fine example of the selfless commitment of those who volunteer to work in rescue operations. But most of all, the tragedy is a terrible reminder of the great and unforgiving power of the sea and how quickly it can turn from being a thing of beauty to being a killer. It must be treated with care and respect at all times.