Tributes paid to Howth man retiring after 44 years in lifeboat volunteer service

The RNLI Howth lifeboat station, local fishermen and Howth Yacht Club have paid tribute to George Duffy, who has retired after 44 years with the lifeboat organisation. Mr Duffy spent the last 25 years as a mechanic for Howth’s all-weather lifeboat.

He was deputy coxswain to his younger brother Robert, and his youngest brother Michael is also a volunteer.

Meanwhile, the response of the west Cork community of Union Hall to the sinking of the Tit Bonhomme last January is to be recognised at a special Marine Times award ceremony tomorrow during the Fish Ireland exhibition at Killybegs, Co Donegal. The first Spirit of the Sea award is for Union Hall’s “selflessness, dedication and compassion” during the 26-day search for the bodies of the five crew who died.