By Dionne Meehan

KILLYBEGS fisherman Kevin McCloskey has been remembered as a “true gentleman” following his tragic passing which shocked the community over the weekend.

Mr McCloskey’s body was recovered off the coast of Donegal on Saturday evening shortly before 6pm. He’s believed to have fallen overboard while fishing in the area.

The search for the well-known skipper began on Thursday evening, after a member of the public alerted the Irish Coast Guard coordination centre to a fishing vessel stranded two nautical miles south of Mullaghmore Head, Co Sligo.

The multi-agency search, involving Malin Head Coast Guard, the Sligo-based Coast Guard helicopter R118, the Killybegs Coast Guard Unit, RNLI lifeboats from Bundoran, Arranmore, Ballyglass and Sligo, as well as a number of local fishing vessels, focused on the Mullaghmore area before extending into Donegal Bay.

After an extensive three-day search, Mr McCloskey’s body was recovered on Saturday evening by a local fishing vessel off Teelin on the Donegal coast.

Leading tributes to the much-loved fisherman, his nephew George Vial described Mr McCloskey as one of the greatest men he had ever known.

“He was someone I always looked up to and strived to be like,” a social media post from Mr Vial read.

“He was a true gentleman.

“Funny and wise, knew how to tell a great story.

“Anyone who ever met him was lucky to have shared in that beautiful spark of life.

“Our whole community and our family will be less without him.”

Local councillor Niamh Kennedy said Mr McCloskey hadn’t an enemy in the world.

“There wasn’t a bad word ever said about him,” she told the Donegal News.

“Kevin was an absolute gentleman.

“He was one of the good guys, highly respected.

“We, as a community, are in shock and we are very sad.”

Meanwhile, the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation said Mr McCloskey lost his life doing what he loved.

“Kevin was a former board member and chairman of the KFO in 2002,” a spokesperson said.

“He was a respected and experienced fisherman having worked all his life in the industry, and noted for his positive outlook on life.

“The KFO would like to express our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

“He will be sorely missed by the local fishing community, the membership of the KFO and the wider fishing industry.”

The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation also took time to acknowledge the extensive efforts made by local vessels, the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard units and shore search volunteers to recover Mr McCloskey’s body.

“Recovery at least brings some closure to what is a tragedy for the whole fishing community,” a spokesperson concluded.