*Blue Pool.
VICTIMS of a fishing tragedy in Doonbeg were two brothers living in Limerick City.
Both men who have been living in Limerick City for the past decade are understood to have been fishing off the rocks at the Blue Pool in Pulleen Bay outside Doonbeg before falling into the sea.
Sea conditions in West Clare were reported to be very rough on Tuesday afternoon.
Brothers, Tajuddin Safi (30s) and Salahuddin Safi (20s) originally from Afghanistan were part of a group of five from Limerick City who went to West Clare on Tuesday as part of a fishing trip.
Residents of Limerick for the past decade, the Safi brothers also worked locally. They were joined in Doonbeg by another brother and a cousin. They had regularly travelled to Clare to fish.
Sadly, they are not the first to lose their lives while cliff angling at the Blue Pool with tragedies and near-misses aplenty in the past. Locals very rarely fish at the site.
Their deaths has led to calls locally for more awareness on the dangers of fishing at such a notoriously dangerous location.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life off Doonbeg. The local community extends our heartfelt sympathies to the families, the members of the fishing party and all those affected by this devastating incident. This tragedy at the area known as the Blue Pool is a notoriously dangerous stretch of coast, and it is a stark reminder of the unpredictable and powerful nature of the Atlantic Ocean.
She added, “I want to commend all of our emergency services, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI, Gardaí, National Ambulance Service, Clare Fire and Rescue, and Civil Defence, who responded with such bravery and coordination in extremely challenging conditions”.
Doonbeg native Rita was keen to stress that fishing should be avoided at a location as dangerous as the Blue Pool. “While our coastline is one of immense natural beauty and a source of pride for our community, it also holds very real dangers. The ferocity of the Atlantic at locations such as this cannot be underestimated. Unfortunately this is not the first tragedy at this location and I would strongly urge people to avoid fishing or accessing this particular spot and to always heed safety advice when near the sea. At this difficult time, our thoughts remain with those grieving, and as a community we are very saddened by their loss”.
An Garda Síochána notified the Irish Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Sub-centre (MRSC) in Valentia at 14:15 on Tuesday that two individuals had fell into the sea.
A search was initiated with the Coast Guard helicopter R115 from Shannon, Kilkee Coast Guard Unit, Doolin Coast Guard Unit and the Aran Island Lifeboat on scene.
At approximately 4pm, the Coast Guard helicopter R115 located two bodies within the search area identified by MRSC Valentia, after which Aran Island Lifeboat recovered them from the sea as part of the coordinated operation.
