A 24-hour helicopter search and rescue service should be available for the east coast, according to a report into the death of a fisherman who drowned within yards of Howth Pier.
The report, commissioned by the Minister for Defence and the Marine, Mr Barrett, found that the helicopter rescue service on the east coast last year was "unsuitable".
The helicopter service available for the east coast at the time Mr Timmy Currid (43) died was unable to fly at night. An RAF rescue helicopter had to fly 75 miles from Wales but was too late to save Mr Currid, from Duncannon, Co Wexford.
Mr Currid's trawler, the Scarlett Buccaneer, was driven aground on rocks on the evening of November 16th. Attempts by the Howth lifeboat crew to save him failed when they were unable to close in on the trawler.
It emerged that a night-flying Air Corps helicopter was available at Baldonnel, west of Dublin, only a few minutes flight from Howth.
Immediately after the tragedy, the Minister ordered an inquiry into helicopter rescue services on the east coast. As an interim measure, the Air Corps began providing night-time helicopter cover for the east coast within weeks of Mr Currid's death.
The inquiry team has completed an interim report which was published yesterday. It recommended:
. that the east coast should have coverage by a 24-hour, multi-engine, marine search and rescue helicopter with all-weather capability as soon as possible, considering the high-intensity marine, aviation and coastal area activities;
. that the best probability for immediate marine search and rescue coverage on the east coast would be provided from the Air Corps' existing Dauphin 5A 365F fleet which is the subject of the Air Corps feasibility study. The Dauphin SA 365F would be based at Baldonnel.
Introducing the report yesterday, Mr Barrett said; "The east coast very badly needs to be covered by helicopter services. Unfortunately, this was only brought to my attention as a result of the Scarlett Buccaneer tragedy and we acted immediately and we asked the Marine Emergency Rescue group to look at the overall rescue plan."
Asked if Mr Currid would still be alive if there had been a nighttime helicopter rescue service available, Mr Barrett said: "It is hard to say. We have asked for an investigation to be put in place."
He added: "Given the high level of commercial, fishing and leisure activity all along the east coast and the increasing demands on search and rescue resources both in Ireland and the UK, it is imperative that there is round-the-clock helicopter coverage to enhance resources in this region. This is the advice of the group which I asked to review coverage on the east coast and I am acting immediately on their recommended.