As the investigation into the sinking of the Pisces continues, the first of the five victims of the fishing tragedy is to be buried today.
Gardaí and inspectors from the Marine Casualties Inspection Board (MCIB) spent yesterday examining the boat, which was raised from the ocean floor off the Wexford coast late on Monday evening.
Naval divers and members of the Garda underwater unit successfully refloated the 26-foot vessel by attaching buoyancy aids into which compressed air was pumped. The Irish Lights vessel, Granuaile, transported the boat to Waterford port yesterday morning.
The cause of the accident is still unclear. The hull of the Pisces was intact, suggesting that it was unlikely that the boat struck rocks. The investigation is likely to focus on the boat's pump and engine, which may have malfunctioned.
Locals say the boat suffered mechanical problems last week, but these were later fixed.
None of those on board the boat was wearing a life-jacket, coastguard staff involved in the rescue later reported.
The MCIB has appointed an engineer to examine the vessel which went down on Sunday morning in foggy conditions about a mile from Fethard-on-Sea.
The inspector is to report back and make recommendations on how to avoid a similar tragedy in the future, the MCIB said. A separate Garda investigation is also taking place.
The last two of the five survivors of the accident was released from Wexford General Hospital yesterday. None of the survivors, who included youths aged from 11 to 22 years, was injured.
Meanwhile, the funeral of the first victim to be buried, Mr Martin Roche, takes place after 11 a.m. Mass today in Galbally, near Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Mr Roche's removal took place yesterday evening.
The other four people who died when the Pisces sank will be buried tomorrow.
Three of the victims of the tragedy are being buried together. The removal of Mr Jim Cooney, his son-in-law Mr Seamus Doyle and Mr Doyle's son Mark takes place at Mr Cooney's undertakers' premises in New Ross at 5 p.m. this evening. A funeral Mass for the three men is being held at St Michael's and St Mary's Church in the town at 11 a.m. tomorrow. The funeral will then proceed to Cushinstown cemetery, where the Doyles will be buried. It will then travel to the cemetery at Terrerath for Mr Cooney's interment.
The fifth victim, Mr John Cullen, will be removed from Mr Cooney's undertakers' premises at 7 p.m. this evening. His funeral takes place at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Rosbercon church in New Ross.
