#TIT BONHOMME - President Michael D Higgins yesterday paid tribute to the five fishermen who lost their lives in the Tit Bonhomme tragedy in January this year, The Irish Times reports.
At a special ecumenical service in Union Hall, West Cork, the President expressed his "sincere sympathies to all who lost loved ones on 15 January this year".
He added: “Coping with and learning to live with loss is the great challenge you face but you can take heart from the fact that you have such strong communities around you at this difficult time."
President Higgins also praised the tireless search teams - including the Irish Coast Guard, Naval Service, Garda and volunteer divers - as well as the fishing community of Union Hall on Glandore Harbour, where the tragedy occurred.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the fishing trawler Tit Bonhomme ran aground in rough seas near Adam's Rock, at the mouth of the harbour, on Sunday 15 January.
Five of the six-person crew - Eldin, Hayes, Attea Shaban (26), Kevin Kershaw (21) and Wael Mohammed (35) - lost their lives when the boat went down.
Only 43-year-old Abdul Mohammed, the brother of Wael Mohammed, survived the sinking after he was able to reach the shore.
The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.
