Trio's fishing vessel, a 6 metre punt, got into difficulties off Tramore in County Waterford
Three brothers have been confirmed dead after their bodies were recovered off the south-east coast of Ireland on Wednesday night.
The trio's fishing vessel had overturned off Tramore in County Waterford.
A spokeswoman for the Irish Coast Guard said all three bodies had been recovered and all units were standing down. A Garda spokeswoman confirmed all three men had been pronounced dead.
The alarm was raised at 5.45pm when local fishermen noticed the 6 metre punt had not returned to shore. The vessel had last been seen at lunchtime about half a mile off Brownstown Head, between Tramore Bay and Dunmore East.
A Royal National Lifeboat Institution spokeswoman said crews were launched and the rescue helicopter discovered the first body by 5.55pm. The second man was recovered by Dunmore East RNLI shortly after, and the third body found by 6.10pm.
The Irish Coast Guard said winds were west to south-west force four during the recovery operation.
"The Waterford-based coast guard helicopter, Dunmore East Lifeboat and Tramore Lifeboat were immediately tasked to the scene and en-route to Brownstown Head, the helicopter spotted the stricken vessel," a spokeswoman said.
"The vessel was semi-submerged in the water.