Co Wexford fisherman Joe Sinnott, who died when the trawler he was working on sank on Saturday night, has been laid to rest in his home parish.
Prayers were said at Mr Sinnott's funeral Mass this afternoon in Kilmore, Co Wexford for the Whelan family who are hoping and praying that a search that has been ongoing since Saturday will find Willie Whelan, who was also on board the Alize when it went down off the Hook Head coast.
Navy divers have been continuing their examination of the search area today following their arrival in Kilmore Quay yesterday afternoon.
Using the LÉ Samuel Beckett as a base, they have been using sonar equipment to confirm the exact location of the Alize under water and will also be using automated and remotely-operated vehicles to inspect the search area.
It is not clear yet when the divers will be able to go under water themselves, with more bad weather expected tonight and in the coming days.
The R117 search and rescue helicopter from Waterford has also been searching today, along with the lifeboat from Fethard-on-Sea and local boats.
At today's funeral Mass in St Patrick’s Church, memories were shared of Mr Sinnott whose love of the sea was second only to his love of his family.
Mourners were led by his wife Mary and children Michael, Siobhan, Bernie and Bridget, with many other family members, friends, colleagues from the tight-knit fishing industry, and neighbours packing into the church and outside for the ceremony.
In an emotional eulogy, Michael Sinnott thanked everyone who had helped and supported the family in recent days since his father Joe died.
"Seeing everyone, I didn’t even expect half of it," he said. "It’s been a tough, tough few days. It’s hard, from Saturday night… but I know where he is today, he’s out there with the boys, searching, his spirit is out there," he said.
"His spirit is out there. Please God he’s able to bring Willie home to us. The bond between the two boys was unreal. I’ve said it over the last few days, it was like a link in a chain that you couldn’t pull apart."
Earlier in the Mass, chief celebrant Fr David Murphy welcomed the congregation and also remembered Mr Whelan, some of whose family members were present.
"Today we keep in mind in our prayers at our Mass all of Willie Whelan’s family at this very difficult and sad time for them," Fr Murphy said.
"As the Mass is about to start, the search for Willie continues. People from this area here in Kilmore and Kilmore Quay with boats, and people from Hook Head peninsula are out on boats this morning searching for Willie."
Afterwards, the cortege made its way the short distance to the New Cemetery in Kilmore where Mr Sinnott was laid to rest.
