Man who died in Donegal diving tragedy named as Leitrim native

The man who tragically drowned off the south west Donegal coast on Saturday has been named locally as Leitrim native Patrick Doran.

Mr Doran was one of over 100 divers taking part in the North West Dive Rally at Teelin.

The planned two-day event was plunged into shock and sadness at around noon on Saturday.

A search operation was launched after two divers were reported as missing.

The body of Mr Doran, aged in his 40s and a native of Leitrim Village, was recovered from the water and he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Mr Doran was a diving enthusiast and regularly took part in similar events.

A second diver, a man aged in his 60s, was rescued from the water and is currently receiving treatment at Galway University Hospital.

The local coroner, Dr Denis McCauley, has been notified of Mr Doran's death and a post-mortem will take place in the coming days.

The Coast Guard's 118 Rescue helicopter, based at Strandhill in Sligo, was dispatched to the scene.

A crew from the Killybegs Coast Guard also attended in their Delta RIB after being tasked by the Malin Head Coast Guard, who coordinated the operation.

Local gardai and other emergency services assisted.

A spokesperson from the Department of Transport told Donegal Live that the Irish Coast Guard Marine Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) in Malin co-ordinated a response to a diving incident that was reported off Teelin at 12.20pm.

A spokesperson said: The co-ordinated response involved the Sligo-based Rescue 118 helicopter, Killybegs Coast Guard Boat & Shore Crews, the National Ambulance Service and An Garda Síochána.

“One male casualty (in his 40s) was pronounced dead at the scene and a second male casualty (in his 60s) was airlifted by Rescue 118 to Galway University Hospital (GUH) where he is receiving care.”

Organisers of the North West Dive Rally immediately called off the remainder of the competition.