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Sunday 28/1/2018 The Michael Quinn Branch of the Irish Naval Association Dublin held a Commemoration Parade at the Plaque in Drogheda that was unveiled a few years back by the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins to Honour the unselfish bravery and devotion to duty of L/S Michael Quinn (DSM) and A/B Paul Kellett (DSM). Michael and Paul were on board LE Deirdre which was at anchor during a severe Gale in Laurances Cove in Bantry Bay on the night of the 30/1/1990 when a distress call came in seeking help for a sinking Spanish fishing vessel the Nueestra Senora De Gardtoza with sixteen seamen on board that had gone aground in Bantry Bay. The two Seamen volunteered to go and offer assistance to the sinking vessel but as they were returning to LE Deirdre the Gemini they were in capsized throwing the two men into the water. Paul scrambled over rocks and flagged down a passing Garda patrol and the alarm was raised a search was carried out for Michael but unfortunately his body was found the next day.The King of Spain also awarded the Spanish Cross of Naval Merit to both men for their Bravery on the night. The parade on Sunday was well attended with personnel from the following Organizations INA, UN Vets. RNA, ONE, and members of the Quinn family. Peter Quinn Michaels brother had a arranged for some sandwiches and finger food in a local Hostelry which we all retired to. |