Possible piece of wreckage from Rescue 116 helicopter found off the coast of Donegal this morning

by Gemma Rodgers

A possible piece of wreckage from the missing Rescue 116 helicopter has been found off the coast of Donegal.

The debris was found off Owey Island this morning by a local fisherman.

The suspected part of Rescue 116 is now at Cruit Island Golf Course pier awaiting the arrival of the Bunbeg Coast Guard to remove it for inspection.

Cruit Island Course manager, Jimmy Bonner spoke to Donegal Now about the discovery.

He said “I got a phone call this morning from a local man, John Gallagher, who was out fishing off Owey Island and came across the debris. He tied it to his boat and towed it in as far as the pier.

“John asked me to help him pull it in and secure it at the pier. Once we were sure it was completely secure we called for the Bunbeg Coastguard. We are still waiting for them to arrive and remove it so they can confirm or deny if it was part of the wreckage.”

Rescue 116 helicopter crashed on March 14 when responding to a call providing cover for the Sligo-based search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 118.

The crash happened off the Mayo coast.

The body of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was recovered from the water within hours.

The body of one of the missing crew was found in the wreckage on March 24. It was later identified as Captain Mark Duffy.

Two other members of the crew, Winch Operator Paul Ormsby and Winchman Ciarán Smith, are still missing.

The search for the two men is ongoing.