The search for a 14-year-old boy is continuing off the Co Wexford coast this evening after four men drowned in a boating tragedy this morning.
The men died after their 26-foot sea angling boat, the Pisces,sank at Fethard-on-Sea in Co Wexford just after 11.30 a.m.
Gardaí have named three of the men who died as Jim Cooney, an undertaker from New Ross; his son-in-law Seamus Doyle, who was in his 30s and John Cullen, who was in his 40s.
Rescuers are still searching for Seamus Doyle's son, Mark.
The fourth man has not yet been named.
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A member of the RNLI at Fethard-on-Sea this afternoon
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Two local boats rushed to the scene after a distress call went out from the
Pisces.
Five people and the bodies of the four dead men were taken on board one of the local boats. One of those rescued is the skipper of the
Pisces.
The survivors were taken to Wexford General Hospital for treatment. Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
The bodies of the four dead men were removed to Waterford Regional Hospital.
Ten people, all of whom were male, were on the boat, which left this morning at 9.30 a.m. from Fethard-on-Sea.
The search is being carried out by lifeboats from Fethard-on-Sea and Kilmore Quay and a marine rescue helicopter from Waterford. It is expected to continue until nightfall and will be resulmed at first light tomorrow.
Conditions were calm but very foggy at the time of the accident, with visibility restricted to around 200 yards.
The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr John Browne, is on his way to the scene. Mr Browne, who is also TD for the area, has extended his sympathy to the families of those involved.
A full investigation into the tragedy will be carried out by the Marine Casualties Investigation Board and the Garda.