A 51-YEAR-OLD man was drowned early yesterday after he apparently slipped on a pier as he returned to his boat to make the two-mile journey to his home on Inishlyre Island in Clew Bay, Co Mayo.
Tommy Gibbons was last seen at about 3.30am following a function which he attended at the nearby Mayo Sailing Club premises at Rosmoney near Westport.
The alarm was raised yesterday morning when his body was spotted in the water beside his boat.
Gardaí said the death had all the signs of “a tragic accident”.
Mr Gibbons, who was single, was regarded in the island and mainland communities around Clew Bay as a most caring and helpful person. Having retired some years ago as postman for the 10 or so inhabited islands in Clew Bay, he had been concentrating on his work as a ferryman, farmer and fisherman.
The death has stunned the dwindling community on 50-acre Inishlyre which now, in the wake of yesterday’s tragedy, has only five inhabitants.
The dead man’s sister-in-law Rhoda Gibbons said the body would be “waked” on Inishlyre before being taken to the mainland for burial. Inishlyre has no cemetery.
Ms Gibbons added: “Any fisherman, farmer, boatman or sailor who needed help over the years could count on Tommy. He was a rock of support to everyone.”
