A heroic garda has tragically died while searching for a missing fisherman off the Wexford coast.
The garda, who was off-duty at the time, died while diving off Hook Head as part of the search for the missing man.
The brave garda, in his 40s, was a native of Co Wexford but was stationed in Waterford.
He was diving with a local sub aqua club in a voluntary capacity after a number of RNLI lifeboats initally attended the scene, although the lifeboats were later stood down.
It’s believed that the garda, who had been honoured for his part in a number of water rescues, was brought to the surface by colleagues.
Emergency services were alerted and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 was scrambled to attend at the scene.
But the garda was pronounced dead despite attempts to resuscitate him, and his body was brought to Waterford University Hospital.
Garda colleagues in Waterford are understood to be “shocked” at the death of the man, who is understood to leave behind a young family.
In a statement gardai said: "Gardaí and the Coastguard were called to an incident that occurred 15 nautical miles from Hook head Wexford, on Saturday the 25th of May 2019 at approx. 12pm.
"A male diver, mid 40s, was recovered from the water in a critical condition and airlifted to Waterford Regional Airport.
"The body was then taken to Waterford University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A postmortem will take place and a file will be prepared for the coroner."
