Tributes have been paid to a dedicated community rescue volunteer who was instrumental in setting up an organisation involved in the rescue of hundreds of people in the north.
Community Rescue Service (CRS) founding member Joe Breen died on Monday aged 63 after a short illness.
Originally from west Belfast, Joe had set up the charity alongside close friend Sean McCarry in 2007 and had worked at the organisation right up until he had become ill.
He received an OBE last year for services to marine science and environmental protection for his work as a marine biologist.
Mr McCarry said Joe had left behind a “great legacy”.
“Joe’s family will miss him tremendously and as a close friend I’m just devastated,” he told The Irish News.
“He is leaving behind a great legacy and he was a hugely important part of our team. Joe was one of our family and we have suffered a great loss.
“There’s not many people come along these days like Joe Breen. He was one of a kind, a true professional and a complete gentleman.”
The two men set up the volunteer rescue organisation in 2007, with Mr McCarry describing it as a “child of the peace process”.
Joe was also a former member of the Ballycastle Coastguard Rescue Team, which paid tribute to his service to the local community.
“The team were devastated to hear of the passing of our former team mate Joe Breen,” a social media post said.
The team were devastated to hear of the passing of our former team mate Joe Breen. During his service with us Joe...
Posted by Ballycastle Coastguard Rescue Team on Monday 24 June 2024
“During his service with us Joe brought knowledge from his time in the RNLI and from his career as a marine biologist.
“When Joe moved on to concentrate his efforts assisting the Community Rescue Service get off the ground, we were still blessed with his friendship and professional expertise when the team were required to deal with marine life incidents.
“He was a quiet and unassuming man, with a brilliant sense of humour.”
His funeral will take place at the Holy Trinity Church in Ballycastle on Friday at 2pm.
