A RURAL Co Clare community will today pay its respects to a 44-year-old father of three who died on Lough Derg last week.
Pat Danaher, a painting contractor who lived at Nancy’s Well, Ogonnelloe, Co Clare, died after his 20ft speedboat ran aground on rocks and capsized last Thursday.
The upturned boat was discovered late on Thursday night, while Mr Danaher’s body was recovered by divers less than 24 hours later following a multi-agency search.
Gardaí and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board will conduct separate inquiries into Mr Danaher’s death. However, gardaí have confirmed they are treating the death as a tragic accident.
Ogonnelloe parish priest Fr Donagh O’Meara said: “Pat’s tragic death is an awful loss to his family and the local community. Pat was a great character – larger than life – and the community is still in shock at the news. It’s a terrible tragedy.
“There is a fantastic community here in Ogonnelloe and people are great. I know they will all rally around Pauline and the children and Pat’s own family at this terrible time. Many from the community were down in Garrykennedy during the search to show their support for the family.”
Mr Danaher, who was originally from Ballinacurra Gardens in Limerick, is survived by his wife Pauline and young children Rachel, Laura and Leo.
He is also survived by his parents Bridie and Tony, and sisters Monique, Samantha, Sonia and Natasha.
Mr Danaher’s remains will repose at his home in Ogonnelloe between 3pm and 9pm today. His removal tomorrow morning to St Mary’s Old Church in Ogonnelloe will be a private event.
He will be cremated following requiem Mass at 11am tomorrow.
The family have arranged for buses to take mourners to and from the house this afternoon from parking areas near the village.
The have requested that mourners make a donation, in lieu of flowers, to the search and rescue services on Lough Derg.
The massive search involved the volunteer members of the RNLI, Coast Guard, Civil Defence, Mountshannon Search and Rescue and Killaloe/Ballina Search and Recovery Unit, the members of which located Mr Danaher’s body.
Eleanor Hooker of Lough Derg RNLI said: “We are very grateful to all the agencies who took part in this search. There was an extraordinary level of co-operation between all involved as well as offers of help from the public. We extend our deepest sympathies to the victim’s family.”