Statement by President Michael D. Higgins on the death of Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick
Date: Tue 14th Mar, 2017 | 16:24
"Today marks a dark day in the history of the Coast Guard / Garda Cósta na hÉireann, with a member of this important service losing her life while providing assistance to others.
On behalf of the people of Ireland, may I pay tribute to Captain Dara Fitzpatrick who died today.
We are all grateful for the courage, resolution and exemplary commitment to the aims of the Coast Guard that Captain Fitzpatrick and her colleagues have consistently displayed.
My thoughts are with her family at this difficult moment and also with the families of the missing crew.
It is appropriate that we acknowledge and pay tribute to the efforts of her colleagues at the Coast Guard who have been working at a time, which must be for them, a time of great grief and uncertainty.
May I also commend the other emergency services, as well as those from local communities in Mayo, who responded so valiantly, and in great solidarity, at this time of tragedy."