Body of first Irish tsunami victim found
The body of the first Irish victim of the Asian tsunami was found in Thailand today.
Eilis Finnegan, a 27-year-old former flight attendant from Ballyfermot, Dublin was on holiday with her boyfriend on Phi Phi island.
She had been missing since the tsunami hit the holiday resort.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed her body had been found. It is to issue a statement on behalf of her family.
Ms Finnegan's boyfriend, Barry Murphy, had said his last memory of her was a joyful one of laughing and joking near the beach on Phi Phi.
Both had been running from the waves when he picked up a boy of about four to save him. Ms Finnegan had been running ahead before he went under.
“I went around shouting Eilis’s name, calling her. As I did other people popped up, crying, looking for help and their friends,” he said.
Mr Murphy spent the following nine days searching for her body in Thailand.
In their statement, Ms Finnegan’s family expressed their sincerest appreciation for his efforts.
“Thanks to Barry for his tireless efforts to reunite Eilis with us. We would also like to thank Barry’s family for all their tremendous efforts and support.”
The family also thanked the gardaí, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Irish ambassador to Thailand and asked for their privacy to be respected.
Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern expressed deep sadness at the positive identification of Ms Finnegan’s remains in Krabi, Thailand.
“I want to extend, on my own behalf and that of the Government, my most sincere condolences to Eilis’s family and to her boyfriend, Barry Murphy,” he said.
“This announcement brings an end to a terrible period of uncertainty and worry for the Finnegans and for Eilis’s many close friends.
“As they come to terms with their tragic loss, I would appeal for them to be allowed to grieve in peace and in privacy.”
He added that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Irish Embassy staff in Thailand would continue to extend all possible assistance to the family.
There are three other Irish people missing and feared dead since the tsunami. Another 17 Irish people reported missing are considered to be “medium risk” cases by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Government has donated €10m so far to relief efforts in the Asian countries affected by the tsunami.
