‘Such a tragic loss of life’ – Brothers who drowned off Clare’s west coast named locally

The two brothers were members of the Afghan community in Limerick, where it is understood they have lived and worked for approximately 10 years.It is understood they had travelled to Clare to fish in a group of five when the tragedy occurred and had previously visited the area.The Coast Guard was alerted to reports of two men having fallen into the waters on Tuesday afternoon March 31 at around 2.15pm.The pair had been fishing off the rocks at the Blue Pool in Pulleen Bay, and conditions were reportedly very rough at the times.A search operation was launched in response with the Coast Guard helicopter, search units and Aran Island Lifeboat deployed to the scene.The two bodies were located by the Coast Guard helicopter at around 4pm, after which Aran Island Lifeboat recovered them from the sea as part of the coordinated operation.A gathering of the Afghan community took place on Wednesday afternoon in Limerick city in memory of the two men. A vigil will be planned for a later date.Speaking to the Irish Independent, local Fianna Fáil councillor for Kilrush, Rita McInerney, expressed condolences to the families of the men, as well as the other members of the angling party.“It's such a tragic loss of life and the community is very, very saddened by it, and it's something we don't want to hear happening, particularly so close to home and in our community,” she said.Today's news in 90 seconds - Wednesday, April 1 “The area itself is very well known, a blue pool area. There's a natural rock pool there that people swim in, and there's also another area to the left of it that is a famous surfing spot."But this spot then in the middle is quite deep. The area is subject to rogue waves and big waves that happened and, you know, the sea has been quite rough [especially] because we have a full moon today. So, the sea was quite rough at the time.“Unfortunately, it's not the first incident at this spot, and there's been a number of tragedies over the years. And it is, unfortunately, typically people who are living in the country, but from other countries, and may be attracted to the uniqueness of this cliff angling."But as for the local people, it's not used. It's not fished from because of the dangerous nature of the spot. Even at the spot there is already a plaque there to people who have lost their lives in the past.”The two men were found on Tuesday afternoonDoonbeg parish priest Fr Gerry Kenny told the Irish Independent that the area where the incident occurred is known locally to be dangerous and is generally avoided.“The locals would always know it has been a dangerous area because there are waves that just come up behind you and pull you in [...] What surprised me most of all was that it has sort of gone off our radar because nothing has happened in recent years, and we thought that because of calamities, it had gone off the radar,” he said.“There's another spot back around Loop Head and that is very dangerous [and] there have been near tragedies there. It seems to be in the non-national community that there’s this folklore about it being good for fishing, which it sure is. But in some places if you were to stand where there would be fishing, it's a straight drop down. So even a gust of wind would take you out.”Ms McInerney believes that increasing signage in the area would serve to highlight the dangers of angling in the area. “But typically, it is an area that's shared among people who are interested in this activity. We can try as much as possible to put the signs in place, which we will, but people often don't heed signs as well - but at least there would be something there that will highlight the issue even more,” she said.“But certainly, it's not an area that is outwardly marketed or encouraged as a fishing spot."There are fishing areas in West Clare that have car parks and signage and all of that for cliff fishing and that's where we would encourage people to avail of. This area is on private land, it's gated, it's a working farm, so it's not promoted externally as a fishing spot.”A statement from the Department of Transport on Tuesday read: “At 2:15pm, the Irish Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Sub-centre (MRSC) at Valentia was notified by An Garda Síochána that two persons had fallen into the sea at the Blue Pool in Pulleen Bay outside Doonbeg, Co Clare.“It is understood both persons were fishing off the rocks at the time. A search was initiated with the Coast Guard helicopter R115 from Shannon, Kilkee Coast Guard Unit, Doolin Coast Guard Unit and the Aran Island Lifeboat on scene.“The Coast Guard extends its sincere sympathy to the family of the two anglers who lost their lives today. An Garda Síochána are in the process of liaising with the families of both men.”

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