Trawlermen's families refuse to give up hope
THE families of two missing fishermen have vowed not to give up hope of finding their bodies despite a decision to wind down the search.
Tit Bonhomme skipper, Michael Hayes (52) and his Egyptian crewman Saied aly Eldin (24) are missing and feared drowned since their trawler struck rocks as it fled into Glandore Bay in west Cork from a storm on January 15.
Today marks the 21st day of a huge search operation led by the Irish Coastguard -- but that search will be slowly phased down from next Monday.
Abdou Mohamad (40) was the only member of the trawler's six strong crew to survive.
The bodies of three of the five drowned crewmen -- Shabban Attia (26), Kevin Kershaw (21) and Wael Mohamad (32) - have been recovered.
Mr Hayes's wife, Cailin, said the families were refusing to give up hope -- and were again appealing for divers and kayakers to support the search operation.
"We still believe that both Michael and Saied are within the harbour," she said.
The mother of five has participated in the daily search. Mr Eldin's father, Mohammed Ibrahim, who is himself a fisherman, has also maintained a daily vigil on Union Hall pier.
- Ralph Riegel
Irish Independent
