Name of man who died in diving accident in Donegal will be announced on site

A diver who tragically died off the coast of Donegal on Saturday has been identified locally as Patrick Doran.

Mr Doran, a man in his forties, was originally from the village of Leitrim in County Leitrim.

He was one of more than 100 divers from across the country taking part in a planned two-day event organised by the Donegal Bay Sub Aqua Club.

The event, the North West Dive Rally, included a series of dives planned at Malin Beg and Sliabh Liag on Saturday and Sunday.

Nevertheless, the alarm was raised around noon on Saturday after two divers got into distress.

A major search and rescue operation was launched, coordinated by Malin Head Coastguard Station.

A number of organisations were involved in the operation, including Killybegs Coastguard, An Garda Siochana, the National Ambulance Service, shore crews and also Rescue Helicopter 118.

However, hope turned to despair when a missing diver was recovered from the sea and pronounced dead at the scene.

A second diver, who was also missing, managed to reach the surface.

He was treated on site and immediately taken to Galway University Hospital for further treatment.

The man, in his 60s, was treated for decompression sickness, also known as diver’s sickness.

Shock waves

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the people of southern Donegal.

Niamh Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council and district councillor for Killybegs, said her “heart sank” when she heard of the tragedy.

She said: “Living in a coastal area you are always aware of the dangers that the sea brings and unfortunately we have been struck by another tragedy.

“It is only when such a tragedy strikes your own community that you realise how dangerous the sea really is. When I heard this terrible news, my heart sank.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to this man and his poor family and all they have to go through. We pray for them and we pray for the second man who was fortunately rescued and we hope he makes a full recovery.

“My thoughts are also with the Donegal Bay Sun Aqua Club who hosted this event and we hope they do not suffer too much.”

Councilman Kennedy also recognized all participants in the search and rescue mission.

She said: “We must pay tribute to all those volunteers who risk their own lives in these circumstances and every time something so tragic happens.”

“Sometimes we forget them when tragedies happen, but without them we would be lost and I want to pay tribute to each and every one of them who was there yesterday.”