Tragic first picture of man, 55, who died after falling into sea while returning boat to Cork pier as tributes pour in

A MAN who tragically died when he fell into the sea while returning to his tied-up tugboat at a pier has been named locally.

Damien McGuinness, 55, passed away following the incident as he returned after visiting the port town of Castletownbere in west Cork on Saturday.

It’s believed that he was boarding the vessel around 5.30pm when he appeared to have slipped and fallen into the water, possibly hitting his head on the way in.

His body was spotted in the water in Castletownbere.

According to locals, he was taken out of the water a short time after the accident, but despite the efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Killybegs, Donegal native’s death happened during the town’s popular nine-day Festival Of The Seas, which brings large crowds to the area.

The tragedy has left a sense of deep sadness in the fishing port.

The emergency services were contacted during the incident, and the National Ambulance Service issued an alert to Valentia Coastguard.

Castletownbere Coastguard and the local RNLI lifeboat attended at the scene.

Gardai investigating all the circumstances leading to the unexpected death have said it was a tragic incident.

They have harvested CCTV footage from the town and have been able to follow the deceased’s movements practically from the time he left and returned to his boat.

He was a crew member on board the tugboat which was berthed at the busy pier.

Mr McGuinness’ body has been taken to the mortuary at Cork University Hospital, and the local coroner has been contacted.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out, and an inquest will be held at a later date.

Mr McGuinness’ death notice published today states he is predeceased by his father Peter and “sadly missed” by his mother Susan, sister Claire, brother Seamus, beloved nieces Lauryn and Lara, aunty, uncle, cousins, friends and neighbours. No funeral arrangements have been made yet.

Deputy Mayor of Cork, Cllr Finbarr Harrington, said that his thoughts and prayers were with the families of the deceased man.

He said: “I just opened the festival last night. It is a great family festival, so for something like this to happen is very sad.

“Castletownbere has seen its share of tragedies in the water, and of course something like this brings it back to people who have been in this position.”

Gardai said members of the force and emergency services responded “after receiving reports of a person in the water at the pier in Castletownbere shortly after 5.30pm on Saturday”.

They added: “A male in his 50s was taken from the water a short time later. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A file is being prepared for the coroner.”