First anniversary of R116 tragedy is marked in Blacksod

THE first anniversary of the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter 116 crash that resulted in the deaths of four crew members has been marked in Blacksod today.

The bodies of Dara Fitzpatrick and Mark Duffy were recovered in the days following the accident last March but their two colleagues, Ciarán Smith and Paul Ormsby, remain lost at sea.

Relatives attended a Memorial Mass in Aughleam Church before travelling to Blacksod where Coast Guard colleagues joined them for a commemorative event.

Afterwards, Naval Service personnel took wreaths to the LÉ Niamh and they were laid in the water close to the site where R116 went down.

* A memorial service and wreath laying ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter 116 crash took place today at Blacksod Lighthouse and Pier, Belmullet, PHOTO: MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN