THE three men who drowned after a boating tragedy in Co Kerry were originally from Latvia.
They were named locally as Anatolijs Teivens and Jurijs Burcves, who had been living in Killarney, and Valerijs Klimentengvs from Tralee.
The three victims and their families are believed to have lived in the Kerry area for several years.
The alert was raised at around 6pm on Sunday when part of the men’s boat was seen sticking out of the water near Coonanna.
A Coastguard helicopter, lifeboats, local Gardaí and divers responded to the emergency with the chopper crew recovering the first body close to Coonanna pier, shortly after arriving on scene.
The remains of the other two men were later recovered close to the shoreline.
It is understood they were on a fishing trip with weather conditions described as fresh.
It is reported the men regularly set off on fishing trips from the secluded harbour.
It is not yet known how the tragedy happened.
The Latvian Embassy has said it is aware of the tragedy and is ready to provide consular assistance to the families.
A garda investigation into the incident is under way.
Killarney garda superintendent Flor Murphy said files will be prepared for an inquest.
“It’s very sad and obviously our sympathies are with their families at this very difficult time,” he said.
It’s just a terrible accident and so sad that these men should lose their lives on a day out like this.”
