Refurbishment work on a new Coast Guard station in Co Kerry has been completed.

The building in Waterville, which was originally taken over by the State from the British Coastguard in 1923, had fallen into disrepair and has now been fully refurbished by the Office of Public Works (OPW) with an investment of €377,000.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD said: "The Irish Coast Guard has suffered more than its share of tragedy recently with the shocking loss of Volunteer Caitríona Lucas as well as the crew of Rescue 116, Dara Fitzpatrick, Mark Duffy, Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith. It is a sobering reminder of the ever present danger Coast Guard and other emergency responders face every time they answer that call for help. As we open this new station at Waterville, we again remember the constant courage and selflessness of our emergency personnel and we pray for the safety and well-being of all who operate from here in the future."

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The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD said:

"On my own behalf and on behalf of my Department I would like again to express our deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to all those affected by the recent tragedy, particularly to the family members of the crew of Rescue 116. My Department and I have the utmost respect for the volunteers and helicopter crews who provide a search and rescue service on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard, a division of my Department. Their bravery, dedication and commitment is nothing short of remarkable."

(CD/MH)