Victim of sinking tragedy buried

More than 1,000 mourners turned out yesterday for the funeral of a fisherman who died following the sinking of a boat off the Wexford coast.

The tiny village of Ramsgrange was filled with people who had travelled from all over Wexford and beyond to say goodbye to Jimmy Myler.

Mr Myler (47) died in Wexford General Hospital after the boat on which he worked, the Rising Sun, went down near the Saltee Islands on Tuesday night.

Although Mr Myler, along with crew member Ian Tierney, was rescued by the fishing boat Napier, he never regained consciousness and died at the hospital just after midnight. The skipper of the vessel, Pat Colfer, has still not been found, and a diver Billy O'Connor, who examined the wreck of the boat six miles off the coast, is also still missing.

A silent crowd watched the funeral cortege as it arrived at the gates of St James's Church, Ramsgrange, a couple of miles from Mr Myler's home in Ballyhack. Flowers spelling out "Dad" and "Sausage" were visible inside the funeral car. Friends were asked not to buy flowers but instead to donate to the RNLI.

A watery sun shone out from between low winter cloud as the coffin, draped in the green jersey of St James's GAA club, was carried in. Club members lined the path to the doorway.

The funeral Mass was conducted by Fr Bernard Cushin, with Frs Tom McGrath, Dick Doyle and John Nolan.

Fr Cushin spoke of what a great friend and neighbour Mr Myler was; how his door was always open and how his wife Moll, son Alan and daughters Laura and Wendy would miss him.

He also spoke of his enthusiasm for sport. Mr Myler had played hurling, soccer and golf, and Fr Cushin said in his career as a fisherman he had followed the honourable tradition of his family.

The priest extended gratitude on behalf of the family to neighbours, friends and the rescue service who had helped them during their difficult time. He also spoke about Mr Myler's love of music and how hard Christmas would be for his family without him.

Members of the Kilmore Quay lifeboat, fishermen, team mates, neighbours and friends joined in prayers for the families of the men still missing.

The coffin of Mr Myler emerged from the church followed by Mr Myler's wife supported by her daughters, and proceeded to Ballyhack cemetery for burial.