‘A gentle man’: Tributes paid to Donegal fisherman as body is recovered after search

A fisherman whose body was recovered off Teileann in Co Donegal on Saturday evening following a three-day search has been named locally as Kevin McCloskey.

A member of the public raised the alarm on Thursday evening after a fishing boat was discovered grounded and with its engine running about 4km south of Mullaghmore Head in Co Sligo. It is believed Mr McCloskey accidentally fell overboard.

He was a well known and respected fisherman who fished out of Killybegs in Donegal. He was married with children.

The Fishing Daily reported that Mr McCloskey graduated from the BIM Fisheries College in Greencastle, Co Donegal in 1979 having fished with his uncle as younger man. He served his apprenticeship on board the Sharlega.

Mr McCloskey spent two decades working on trawlers. Over 20 years ago he went back to owning his own fishing boat and was fishing single-handedly.

The editor of Fishing Daily, Oliver McBride, said he had the great pleasure of meeting and interviewing Mr McCloskey in 2017 when he was the editor of The Skipper magazine.

“We kept in contact since that time, and now as editor of the The Fishing Daily, I offer my condolences to his wife, his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”

Helen Gallagher, administrator of the Belong to Bruckless and Surrounding Parishes Facebook page described the loss of Mr McCloskey as “tragic.”

“I am sure the whole community will join me in paying our deepest sympathy to the McCloskey family. This is incredibly sad. Many of those who knew him are numb with shock. He was a gentle man. May he rest in peace.”

The Skipper magazine also extended its “deepest condolences and sympathies” to the family of the deceased in the wake of the recovery of his body.

LAST, a charity that supports the loved ones of fisherman lost at sea, also offered its “deepest condolences” to Mr McCloskey’s relatives.

Condolences were also offered to the family by Donegal based Sinn Féin TD, Padraig Mac Lochlainn, Lough Swilly RNLI, Irish Fish and Exporters Association CEO, Brendan Byrne.

Clare Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley said that the loss of Mr McCloskey “serves as a reminder to us all of the daily challenges faced by fishermen and women as they work in such a high risk environment.”

The extensive search had been carried out by RNLI lifeboats, Irish Coast Guard units and helicopters and shore search volunteers. The search was coordinated by the Coast Guard at Malin Head Maritime Rescue Sub Centre.

The Coast Guard offered their condolences to the family of Mr McCloskey. It also expressed appreciation for the aid of search units and local fishing vessels along with gardaí and the wider community.