Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 3

Written Answers. - Search-Rescue Mission Tragedy.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

39 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the circumstances in which two members of the Naval Service were washed overboard in the course of a rescue operation off the Cork coast on 30 January 1990, as a result of which Naval rating, Michael Quinn, was drowned; the inquiry which will be held into the accident; the steps which are being taken to ensure the safety of Naval personnel in future rescue operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

57 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the search and rescue mission of 30 January, 1990 in which a person died.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 57 together.

I have received an initial report regarding this incident. The report indicates that shortly before 10 p.m. on 30 January 1990LE Deirdre responded to a Mayday call relayed through Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre from a trawler which was aground one quarter of a mile north west of Roancarrigmore Lighthouse at the eastern entrance to Berehaven. The trawler had 16 crew members on board.

LE Deirdre which was anchored in Berehaven was on the scene in 20 minutes and the ship's captain decided to attempt to rescue the crew of the trawler. A Gemini craft was launched, manned by two naval personnel, Leading Seaman Michael Quinn and Able Seaman Paul Kellett. The Gemini craft was unable to go alongside the trawler due to severe winds and high seas and the crewmen attempted to return to LE Deirdre but the craft was capsized by a freak wave. Both crewmen were thrown into the water. Both were wearing floatation suits and lifejackets but were unable to communicate with each other due to the conditions and became separated. Seaman Kellett was eventually washed ashore on the rocks and succeeded in making his way to the public road where he was picked up by the local gardaí.

I regret to say that, despite a search of the shoreline by gardaí and of the sea area by the RAF helicopter which arrived on the scene some time later, Leading Seaman Quinn did not survive. His body was subsequently recovered.

I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of both men and to offer my condolences to the family of Leading Seaman Quinn on their tragic loss.

A full and extensive inquiry will be carried out into the circumstances surrounding the incident.