merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has spoken of his great sadness on hearing of the death of Caitriona Lucas, a member of the Irish Coast Guard during an operation off the Co. Clare coast this afternoon.

The Taoiseach said,

I was greatly saddened to hear the tragic news from Kilkee today. The heroic work and selflessness of the Irish Coast Guard is well known around our coastline. To learn of the death of Caitriona, and of injury to her colleagues brings home the real dangers our rescue personnel face and this awful news casts a dark shadow over people all over the island.

I want to convey my deepest sympathy to Caitriona's family, her husband Bernard, also a Coast Guard volunteer, and to the wider Coast Guard family. I hope the other members of the team make a full and speedy recovery. Our prayers and thoughts are with them all at this difficult time.