Francis and Danny McDaid, in their late 60s and early 70s, were pulled from the water near Inishowen Head close to the mouth of Lough Foyle at the weekend, reports BBC News.

The pair, from Glengad, were reported missing on Friday. Their bodies are due to be returned home today.

Father Brian Brady said Francis had been looking for a fishing companion.

"His usual companions, for various reasons, weren't able to go and so he asked his brother Danny," said the priest.

"And Danny, I suppose, to prevent Francis from not being able to go out, said he would go with him and sadly that's what led to both their deaths."

Councillor Bernard McGuinness said people in the area were devastated.

"Everybody is just numb with all of this. It's such a close knit community and people are shocked," he said.

Three lifeboats and an Irish Coastguard helicopter were involved in the search operation for the brothers' boat, Strathmarie.

The brothers, were taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry but both died.

The Irish Coast Guard has been searching for the hull of the ship in the area where the two men were found.

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