Father of missing fisherman killed in tragic accident

The father of a drowned 26-year-old fisherman has died during a tragic accident in Ardglass at the weekend.

Paul Bogues, 47, was struck by a wave, as he walked along the pier at Ardglass Harbour at around 9pm on Saturday evening, which washed him into the water.

Mr Bogues hit his head as he fell, and was taken to hospital in Downpatrick where he was later pronounced dead.

In January this year, Mr Bogues' son Connor, died off Ardglass Harbour, when the fishing vessel - the Greenhill, on which he was a crew member, capsized after striking rocks.

Another member of the crew, Donal Gibson, 22, a father-of-two from Ballynahinch, was also killed in the wreck. His body was found a short time later, however Connor's body has never been found.

Alex Slater of the Fishermen's Mission today said that the people of Ardglass were devastated by the tragedy.

He said: "He was a lovely man, a real gentleman - he wanted to help other seamen who had been struck by tragedy," he said. "He liked to go down to Ardglass following Connor's disappearance, just to be there.

"It is important that we urge people not to go at this time of year near harbours, rocks or beaches because the weather conditions are so dangerous."

Sinn Fein Assembly member Caitriona Ruane today offered her sympathies to the Bogues family and added that Mr Bogues' death is a terrible double tragedy for the family.

DUP Assembly member Jim Wells said: "Having gone through so much this year, for this to happen is just unbelievable. Our thoughts are with the Bogues family."

(EF)