Dublin surgeon dies in Galway boating tragedy

Professor Aongus Curran, a well-known head and neck surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital in the Irish capital and academic at University College Dublin, died on Lough Corrib, Co Galway.

The father-of-five, who was in his 50s, was originally from Oughterard, Co Galway, near where the accident happened on Friday, and lived in Dublin.

Health minister Simon Harris said: “I was very sorry to hear today that Professor Curran had passed away.

“He was an enormously respected surgeon, and a valued teacher to medical students at UCD.

“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family, loved ones and his colleagues.”

Prof Curran was feared drowned after an upturned boat was discovered on Friday.

His body was found near Camillaun Island, about four miles from where he set off near Oughterard.

Cancer specialist Prof John Crown said: “Very sorry to hear of sad death of Prof Aongus Curran RIP. Fine man and outstanding cancer surgeon.”

The Irish Coast Guard, gardai and local boats and rescue teams were involved in the search operation.

Prof Curran trained in NUI Galway and later in Toronto before being appointed to the Professorship of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology at UCD and his main clinical interest was in treating tumours in the head and neck.