A SPECIAL documentary programme will be aired next Monday, September 12, remembering a much missed hero of Clare.

The programme celebrating the life of Catriona Lucas, comes on the sixth anniversary of her death while performing her duties as a member of the Coast Guard.

On September 12, 2016, the tragic news broke that a rigid inflatable boat had capsized near cliffs in a heavy Atlantic swell in Kilkee. As details of the incident became clearer, it emerged that the rib was an Irish Coast Guard search and rescue boat.

The three Irish Coast Guard volunteers on board were thrown from the vessel into the sea.

Two Kilkee-based members of the volunteer service were subsequently rescued during a major multi-agency operation however, news of the third person, Caitriona, from Liscannor, an experienced volunteer with the Coast Guard unit based in Doolin, was not so good.

Caitriona was recovered unconscious from the water and airlifted to hospital as attempts were continued to resuscitate her. She later passed away in University Hospital Limerick.

She was the first member of the Coast Guard to die on duty and flags were flown at half-mast as a County and Country mourned Caitriona.

To mark the sixth anniversary of Caitriona’s passing, Clare FM has produced a fitting tribute to honour her life.

The documentary – ‘Caitriona Lucas, Fearless’ – has been produced with the support of her family, Bernard, Ben, and Emma Lucas.

Documentary producer and Clare FM’s Programme Director, Padraic Flaherty said: “Caitriona was a true hero and deserves to be honoured with a tribute documentary. In this special programme we look back at her early years in Ballyvaughan, joining the Coast Guard and being posthumously awarded the Clare person of the year award.

“True heroes make a difference in people’s lives and this is what Caitriona did. She, along with her colleagues in the Coast Guard, saved people in the grimmest situations and gave people hope.”

To coincide with Caitriona’s sixth anniversary this documentary will be broadcast on Clare FM next Monday (September 12) at 11 am.