Tributes have been paid to fishing industry leader Hugo Boyle, who died unexpectedly earlier this week.
Mr Boyle, a father of four from Falcarragh, Co Donegal, was chief executive of the Irish South and East Fish Producers’ Organisation (IS&EFPO).
“A gentleman who was highly respected right around the coast” is how south-east vessel owner Caitlín Uí Aodha of the IS&EFPO described him.
Fellow industry leaders said his loss would be felt both in Ireland and Europe.
Mr Boyle, a former fisherman and vessel owner who was based in Achill Sound, Co Mayo, had been ill for several years.
However, he had remained involved in all aspects of the industry, including monitoring the crucial Brexit negotiations.
He had participated in the fishing industry’s emergency online meeting on December 28th last with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Cabinet colleagues over the damaging impact of Brexit deal.
“He had an incredible legal mind, was a calming but informed influence, and knew what battles to pick,” Ms Uí Aodha said.
“At the time of our own loss with the sinking of the Tit Bonhomme, he was very supportive to me and my family,” she said.
Her husband Michael and four of his five crew died when the vessel hit rocks at Adam’s island on the mouth of Glandore Harbour, Co Cork, on January 15th, 2012.
Her sentiments were echoed by Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation chief executive Sean O’Donoghue, who also expressed his condolences to Mr Boyle’s wife Ellen, and daughters, Alison, Denise, Elaine and Aisling and wider family.
“I knew Hugo since the mid-eighties when I was in the Department of Marine, and he was very involved in discussions on Celtic Sea herring,”Mr O’Donoghue said.
“He was both a good friend and a good colleague, and was very calm – always seeking solutions, rather than dwelling on problems,”he said.
“His experience as a vessel owner and a fisherman served him well in his role with the IS&EFPO, and he had the ability to seek compromises – our French counterparts will miss him for his role in seeking solutions to the scallop issue in the English Channel, “Mr O’Donoghue said.
Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) chief executive John Ward said the fishing industry had “lost a good friend”, recalling how he was a member of the IFPO when he was fishing.
Mr Ward said he was experienced and with an “infectious good humour and big smile”.
Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation chief executive Patrick Murphy said that “Hugo's commitment to the industry never faltered”.
It was “evident right up until recently, when he participated, contributed and clearly outlined his organisation’s position in the numerous online meetings we had with officials”, Mr Murphy said.
“Hugo’s practical sensible proposed measures, once implemented would in my view certainly mitigate much of the damage which was decided behind the closed doors in Europe that will hurt the people he worked so hard to protect,” he said.
Mr Murphy recalled one instance of Mr Boyle’s many gestures of kindness, after a late arrival of fishing industry representatives into Dublin Airport.
“Hugo being the gentleman he was insisted on driving me to the hotel where I was staying. Despite our tiredness and the late hour, Hugo insisted upon this detour, taking at least an hour of his time, as it was out of his way on his long journey home,” Mr Murphy said.