The deaths of Gerry Doherty, who was in his 60s, and 16-year-old Thomas Weir, when their fishing boat capsized off the Co Donegal coast, represented a tragedy of enormous proportions.
Members of the emergency services launched a massive rescue operation when the alarm was raised, and a third man who was rescued after he was found clinging to a buoy, but the other two victims could not be saved.
Sea fishing of all forms is surrounded by risks, even in relatively good weather conditions, and the unpredictable waters near Malin Head have been the scene of many other fatalities down the years.
It is essential that a full investigation establishes the exact sequence of events on Tuesday and there will be huge sympathy and support for the grieving families in the difficult days ahead.
