Search for fishing family continues

The family's boat never returned to its County Down port

An Irish naval vessel is continuing its search of the sea floor off the County Down coast for a missing family and their fishing boat.

The ship, LE Eithne, will remain in the area for the next few days in the search for the Tullamurray Lass which disappeared 12 days ago.

An eight-year-old boy, his 32-year-old father and 54-year-old grandfather, all called Michael Greene are missing.

The Royal Navy vessel, the HMS Bridport, withdrew from the search on Tuesday, sparking calls for it to continue in the operation.

Newry and Mourne Council unanimously passed an emergency motion on Tuesday evening calling on the British Navy to maintain a presence off the south Down coast.

Charlie McBride, a fisherman from Kilkeel who has been on board the Irish naval vessel, said there was still a good deal of the area left to search.

Sonar equipment

He said there was hope that in time the wreck of the Tullymurray Lass, and the three bodies, would be found.

Mr McBride said there were a few "contacts" - things on the sea bed - to examine, but the poor weather had hampered the search by divers.

"We're very hopeful and optimistic that we can have the Royal Navy back to assist the Eithne in the completion of the search," he said.

"Another two to three days would complete the search area."

He added: "One vessel can carry on with the sonar search whilst another vessel puts down divers or remote operated vehicles to check out the contacts."

Mr McBride said he was going to meet the head of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch - which is trying to establish the cause of the tragedy - later on Wednesday.

Emergency

They will discuss the operation to date and future plans for the search.

The missing boat left the port in Kilkeel to fish for prawns on 14 February but never returned.

The 10-metre vessel, was due to be taken out of service next month under a government decommissioning scheme.