Tragedy strikes fishing community as young man drowns off Donegal coast

There is widespread shock and sadness in the close-knit fishing community at news that a young fisherman drowned while fishing off the Donegal coast.

The man, believed to be in his twenties, went overboard from the crab vessel on which he was fishing approximately 70 miles north west of Arranmore on Saturday evening.

Having received a mayday call at 8.30pm, Malin Head Coast Guard coordinated a mission involving Arranmore Lifeboat and the R118 helicopter. The man was recovered from the water and CPR was administered by crewmates. But sadly, the young fisherman was pronounced dead.

Weather conditions were challenging at the time, with a three to four metre swell and high winds. 

The boat fishes out of Ballyglass, County Mayo, and will convey the young man's remains back to its home port.