LATEST: Boat debris discovered this evening

Debris of the boat which capsized near Hodson Bay eleven days ago has been discovered this evening, it’s been confirmed.

The RNLI has said the remains of the 15-foot Dory boat were found by divers from the Lough Ree Sub-Aqua club in the Ballybay/Carna area of Yew Point this evening before dark, not far from where it’s understood the boat sank with the three fishermen on board.

Two of the anglers were subsequently rescued, however, 27-year-old David Warnock later died in hospital. The other man, John Trimble (60), was released from hospital last week and has helped out in the search.

Damien Delaney. Lifeboat Operations Manager with the RNLI, said it’s a great relief to find the boat and they hope it will soon lead to the discovery of the missing angler, Daryl Burke.

He explained that the discovery gives them a reference point to work from when the search operation resumes tomorrow (Tuesday). While the area where the boat was found had been thoroughly searched, things may have moved since then or have been missed in murky waters, he said.

The Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat was assisted in the search operation today by the Rescue 116 helicopter from Dublin, Gardai, local sub-aqua clubs, members of Civil Defence, Inland Fisheries, anglers and walkers who were combing the Lough Ree shoreline.

Divers from the Irish Navy and Defence Forces are expected to join the search on Tuesday morning.