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Daughter: Dad's hand black and blue in pier death fight

Source: independent.ie

TL;DR

Joachim McNulty died when his car slipped on algae at Belderrig Pier into the sea.
Daughter Joanna McNulty saw his hand black and blue from desperate fight to escape.
Family campaigns for pier safety upgrades nationwide to prevent repeats.

The story at a glance

Joachim McNulty, a 64-year-old farmer and fisherman from Belderrig, Co Mayo, died on February 18, 2026, after his car slid on an algae-covered slipway at Belderrig Pier and plunged into the water. His daughter Joanna McNulty described his final call to wife Geraldine at 8.06pm, reporting trouble and requesting help, followed by a fierce but futile struggle to exit the vehicle. The article highlights Joanna's push for urgent maintenance, lighting, signage, and barriers at piers after this preventable tragedy.

Key moments & milestones

Joachim McNulty visited Belderrig Pier daily as a lifelong fisherman familiar with the spot for over 40 years.
Around 8.05pm on February 18, 2026, he called wife Geraldine saying he was in difficulty and needed daughter Joanna's help.
Geraldine called back at 8.07pm but got no answer; car already submerged.
Joanna arrived 10 minutes later, saw neighbours with flashlights spotting the car in water.
Local man attempted rescue but failed; emergency services, coastguard, and Gráinne Uaile Sub-Aqua Club responded.
Car recovered at 11.45pm after waiting for tide; Joachim found inside, hand black and blue from hitting door, handbrake fully engaged.

Signature highlights

Joachim McNulty, 64, born in Belderrig, farmer, husband to Geraldine over 30 years, father to Joanna, grandfather to Fiadh; visited pier evenings for fishing and chats.
Pier issues: moss/algae build-up despite prior complaints at Belderrig, Killala, Frenchport, Belmullet; poor lighting, no barriers, no regular cleaning; slipway uncleaned 2+ weeks post-incident.
Rescue delayed by high tide and hazardous surface—even divers slipped.
Community support: neighbours, priest waited 4 hours; widespread grief in tight-knit fishing village.
Joanna's petition on Change.org ('Ensure safety reforms at Piers nationwide') nears 1,000 signatures.
Political response: Cllr Michael Loftus's motion for Mayo County Council maintenance plan on 26-28 piers; Sen Mark Duffy seeks national standards, barriers.

Key quotes

“His hand was black and blue from hitting the door, that’s how hard he fought to get out,” says Joanna McNulty.[[1]](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/his-hand-was-black-and-blue-from-hitting-the-door-thats-how-hard-he-fought-to-get-out-says-daughter-of-man-who-died-in-pier-tragedy/a523869093.html)
“Dad's hand was black and blue when we got his body back. He put up a desperate fight to get out of that car,” Joanna McNulty.[[2]](https://www.independent.ie/videos/irish-news/dads-hand-was-black-and-blue-when-we-got-his-body-back-he-put-up-a-desperate-fight-to-get-out-of-that-car/a605011478.html)
“If that moss and algae weren’t there, his handbrake would have saved him,” Joanna McNulty.[[3]](https://www.independent.ie/regionals/mayo/news/if-that-moss-and-algae-werent-there-his-handbrake-would-have-saved-him-daughter-of-man-in-fatal-pier-accident-calls-for-action/a2104802054.html)
“My father cannot have lost his life in vain,” Joanna McNulty.[[4]](https://www.mayonews.ie/news/ballina/2034315/my-father-cannot-have-lost-his-life-in-vain-mayo-family-call-for-urgent-action.html)

Why it matters

Preventable pier accidents like this claim lives despite known hazards like algae, echoing Buncrana Pier tragedy 10 years ago. Readers in coastal areas face risks fishing, swimming, or boating without maintenance; families endure trauma, communities lose pillars. Watch Mayo County Council's response, petition progress, and potential national safety standards.