Ireland

Investigation continues into diving tragedy which claimed lives of brothers in Co Tipperary

Philip Brophy (left) and his brother Fergus. Picture from RTÉ
Philip Brophy (left) and his brother Fergus. Picture from RTÉ Philip Brophy (left) and his brother Fergus. Picture from RTÉ

INVESTIGATIONS were continuing last night to establish the cause of a diving tragedy which claimed the lives of two brothers in Co Tipperary.

Philip (34) and Fergus Brophy (42) died at a quarry in Portroe on Sunday afternoon.

The experienced divers were from Ballybrittas in Co Laois.

The tragedy unfolded at Portroe diving centre, where the two men were believed to be among the first customers at the facility.

The centre had only reopened over the weekend after being closed due the coronavirus pandemic.

It has been reported that they wanted to test an underwater scooter and were in the water for around half an hour when one of them got into difficulty at around 1.30pm.

His brother went to his assistance but he also got into difficulty.

A major search and rescue operation was launched involving Killaloe Coast Guard, gardaí and ambulance personnel.

Members of two search and rescue teams were in the water conducting separate training exercises when the alarm was raised.

They recovered the second body in around 25 metres of water after gardaí and the emergency services arrived.

A Garda spokesman said: "Gardai attended an incident in Portroe, Co Tipperary, where two males have drowned.

"The males are believed to have been diving when they got into trouble at approximately 1.30pm."