The Air Corps, Army, Navy and Gardai joined forces yesterday in Glencolumcille, Co. Donegal, in the biggest–and most expensive–combined deep-sea search operation of its kind yet launched in this country. But the 31 divers backed up by 22 Army men, two helicopters and the fishery protection vessel Deirdre, were unable, due to adverse weather, to do anything for the four missing trawlermen.
The whole operation, fully co-ordinated for the first time yesterday, is costing an estimated $12,000 per day–or over $160,000 if the search lasts two weeks as in the case of the Evelyn Marie tragedy in January 1975.
Two Army helicopters from Finner Camp, Co. Donegal, which cost $170 each per hour to keep in the air, are taking turns to do duty at the scene of the disaster island where the 55 foot Carraig Una went down last Tuesday morning.
The $85,000 per week for the operation is based on the men’s pay for maintenance and running costs for the helicopters and Deirdre, Army, Navy, and Gardai transport, subsistence allowances, etc.
Fishermen at the scene of the tragedy yesterday were satisfied with the efforts being made by the four services and the fact that it is more high-powered than at the time of the Evelyn Marie sinking.
In charge of the Army land-based operation is 21-year-old Lieut. Dick Boyle, a native of Tralee, and in charge of the 13 Army divers, Lieut. John Kiely (24), a native of Cork. They were disappointed last night that for the second day running they were unable to dive in the search for the four bodies. The body of Skipper, Ted Carbery, was recovered on the first day.
The six divers from Queen’s University, Belfast, who helped out during the first and only days diving, were returned home because of pressures of work.
In charge of the Navy operation–and their nine divers–is 26 year old Lieut. Frank Lynch, who was born in Galway, and has been eight years in the navy. Sgt. Neill Bracken, a 45 year old Dubliner, who is one of the country’s most experienced divers, has nine of his team in Glencolumcille.
The Army has turned a field opposite a local hotel–and overlooking Rathlin O’Beirne Island–into a small camp with tents, parking areas for trucks, and jeeps and a landing pad for the helicopter. With the Gardai, Navy and Air Corps they plan to “sit it out” regardless of expense so long as there is a chance of recovering the bodies.
The tralwermen still missing are: John Boyle (18), of Burtonport, a brother-in-law of the skipper; Doalty O’Donnell (23), and Michael Coyle (22) both of Burtonport, and Anthony McLoughlin (19) of Greencastle.
From a newspaper article titled “All Out Search for Lost Fishermen” by Kevin Moore in Burtonport. Newspaper unknown.