Coast Guard Michael O’Regan: ‘This is just like a death in the family’

Ireland’s brave Coast Guard volunteers are a rare breed, driven only by a desire to serve and help and Monday’s tragedy off Clare will be felt like a death in the family.

That’s how Michael O’Regan, a legendary figure in the Irish Coast Guard service who retired last year after a distinguished 50-year career as a volunteer, described the impact of Caitríona Lucas’s death during a search operation.

“My heart is still in the Coast Guard. When I heard about this tragedy, it hit the same as if it was a family member, and that’s how it will be felt in the service,” he said.