Brothers Drown In Dive Tragedy

Hero raises alarm and goes back in to save sibling before losing his life

- David Raleigh

Two brothers drowned yesterday in a diving accident after one died trying to save the other.

The tragic incident took place in a disused slate quarry in Portroe, Co Tipperary, when one sibling got into difficulty.

His brother came to the surface to raise the alarm but plunged back into the water to try to help.

The men were named locally as 42-year-old Fergus Brophy and his 34-year-old brother Philip from Ballybrittas, Co Laois. It is understood both were experienced divers. One of the brothers is believed to have made it to the surface and managed to get out of the water but died a short time later.

After a search by other divers the body of the second brother was recovered.