31/01/2002

Investigation begins into Carlingford Lough fishing tragedy

Police and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have begun a full investigation into the sinking in Carlingford Lough of the Kilkeel-based fishing boat Charisma, which left a 22-year old man dead and two others in hospital.

Mr Mark Speers died in Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, after being rescued by emergency services during an operation that included police divers, a Royal Navy patrol vessel and a RAF helicopter.

The two survivors, Mr Kevin Kearney and Mr Kevin Trainor, were picked up by another fishing boat, Cassie Anne, when the boat began experiencing difficulties, but Mr Speers was trapped in the vessel. He was later pulled from the water by police divers, but died soon after arriving at hospital.

Local community leaders, coast guards and police have all expressed the deep sadness that has overcome the whole area since the tragedy.

The police investigation is expected to centre on the death of Mr Speers, the results of which will be passed to the local Coroner who will decide if an inquest is required, while the MAIB will focus on how the vessel foundered.

A separate branch within the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), the report will be made directly to the Secretary of State. (GB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
12 May 2005
Queen’s out for Boat Race revenge
The official challenge between Queen's University Belfast and Trinity College Dublin took place yesterday at Queen's Boat Club on the River Lagan to launch the second University Boat Race. This unique head to head rowing event, which mirrors the Oxford Cambridge Boat race, saw Trinity take home last year’s trophy beating Queen's by four lengths.
10 October 2007
Death Charge Skipper In Court
A fisherman has been charged with causing the deaths of his two crewmen and with neglecting his duty on the ship by not maintaining a proper lookout. A report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch found this had played a major part in causing the crash of the Greenhill, a vessel which sank off the County Down coast in 2006.
19 July 2005
Two fishermen rescued from stricken vessel
Two fishermen have been saved from their boat following a collision south of Carlingford Lough. It emerged that the Scathross from Kilkeel had been struck by the Emanuel, a second vessel also from Kilkeel.
06 December 2011
'Flawed' RUC Double Murder Probe Slammed
RUC detectives overlooked vital clues pointing to a controversial double murder, a new report has today suggested.