Prayers to be said for West Cork based fisherman who died in tragic accident 

Prayers will be said at a West Cork funeral home tomorrow for a fisherman from Ghana who lost his life in a workplace accident earlier this week.

Moses Odonkor (53) of Ard Carrig, Skibbereen, sustained a blow to the head whilst he was on board the ‘Boy Jason’ trawler at around 7am on Tuesday.

Efforts to revive the father of three failed. 

The crew members immediately left the Porcupine Bank, west of the Blasket Islands, and returned to Castletownbere.

This is the second tragedy faced by the Odonkor family in two years. 

Moses and his wife Philomena suffered the loss of their two year old son Joshua on January 25, 2023.

The toddler choked on a grape at the family home. Emergency services attended at the scene but they were unable to resuscitate the youngster.

Joshua was later interred in St Patrick’s cemetery in Coronea in Skibbereen following prayers at a local funeral home.

Moses is survived by his wife Philomena, sons Isaac and Emmanuel, his siblings, work colleagues and friends.

He will lie in repose at Hurley & O’Sullivan’s Funeral Home, Skibbereen from 2pm tomorrow with prayers following at 2.45pm. 

His repatriation to Ghana will take place at a later date.

It is understood that the Odonkor family have lived in West Cork for over eight years and that Moses was a member of the crew on board the ‘Boy Jason’ for much of that time.

In a statement on social media Sheehan’s Fishing Company said that they were “shocked and distraught” following the “untimely passing” of Moses.

“A key member of our team with an irreplaceable upbeat personality.

“He treated the boat like his own and his crew like brothers.

“Our deepest sympathies to all that knew him. Fair winds and following seas my friend."