Search continues for missing men

The search for two missing fishermen feared drowned in the Irish Sea is to be wound down shortly due to fading light and will…

The search for two missing fishermen feared drowned in the Irish Sea is to be wound down shortly due to fading light and will resume early tomorrow.

Ronan Browne and David Gilsenan have been missing since they went fishing off Skerries in north Dublin on Friday.

Their 17ft open-top fishing was located overturned five miles south east of Clogherhead 24 hours later - 12 miles north from where debris from the boat was recovered.

Rescue crews believe the lobster boat capsized off Colt Island before drifting in high winds and swells.

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Mr Browne (25), who married his wife Linda in September, had recently bought the boat which he named the Lady Linda.

He and his close friend were experienced seamen who are qualified marine engineers and originally from Skerries.

Mr Gilsenan (41) and his wife Suzanne have two young children, aged six and nine and live in the nearby village of Rush.

Hundreds of volunteers joined a sea and coastline search after the alarm was raised at 6.30pm on Friday when a fisherman realised the pair had failed to return to the harbour. It was called off last night when weather conditions deteriorated.

The Coast Guard, Garda divers, volunteer lifeboat crews and several fishing and pleasure craft were involved in today's search which was concentrated on an area of six nautical square miles.

PA