Navies end search for missing boat

British and Irish navies are to withdraw from the search

The search for a Northern Ireland fishing boat, missing off the County Down coast for almost three weeks, has ended.

The Tullaghmurray Lass disappeared on 14 February with the loss of three generations of the Greene family.

An eight-year-old boy, his 32-year-old father and 54-year-old grandfather, all called Michael Greene, were on board the boat.

The Irish Navy ship Eithne, later joined by HMS Bangor, were involved in the search.

This search has, sadly, failed to locate the missing vessel

Department of Transport

The Department of Transport in London said the search involving two naval vessels stopped at 1200 GMT on Wednesday.

In a statement, it said: "Both the Royal Navy and Irish Navy together with other vessels have assisted in this task by searching an area recommended by the families of the victims and representatives of the Kilkeel fishing community.

"This search has, sadly, failed to locate the missing vessel."

It added: "The chief inspector of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has asked the local fishermen to support them in their continuing investigation by reporting anything untoward as they go about their normal business at sea."

Weekend

The port chaplain at the Fishermen's Mission in Kilkeel, Alex Slater, spent time with the family on Tuesday night.

"They have been steeling themselves over the last two or three days for this terrible news that the navy is stepping down and that the search is obviously is continuing through the local fishing boats," he said.

"Our hearts go out to the family and we don't know really how they feel but we can surmise the sadness and the sorrow that they are feeling at this time."

Marine Accident Investigators are to stay on as part of a major probe into the circumstances of the boat's disappearance.

The family are going through an extremely difficult tim

Charlie McBride
Search co-ordinator

Search co-ordinator Charlie McBride said he hoped the search could have continued until the weekend.

"There will be great sadness at this decision, but the men of the Greene family understand it could not go on indefinitely," he said.

"I suppose it was to be expected because you cannot go on for ever although I would have liked it to have continued for a while longer, until the weekend anyway."

Government scheme

Mr McBride spent a two weeks on board the Irish naval vessel the Eithne.

"It was very very professional and I have no doubt that every part of the area we asked to be searched, was searched. We can have no complaints about that," he said.

He added: "The family are going through an extremely difficult time. We can't imagine what it must be like for them."

Marine accident investigators have been examining evidence which may implicate another ship in the sinking of the Tullaghmurray Lass.

The missing boat was due to be decommissioned under a government scheme.