The mother of the Co Cork climber who lost his life on Mont Blanc on Monday, Ms Ita Rattray, spoke last night of her devastation on the death of her son, William (29).
Ms Rattray, from Clogheen, Co Cork, said her son had been a climbing enthusiast for more than 10 years and had tackled many of the world's most challenging peaks. He had been in good spirits before the latest expedition and had promised to be in touch during the climb.
Ms Rattray said that at midnight on Monday she received a visit from gardai, who informed her that there had been an accident. "My husband, William, and myself were extremely upset but we tried to get some information from the Irish Embassy in Paris. They confirmed for us that William had been lost but they could give us no further information. We are still hoping to hear more news about what happened."
It is understood that Mr Rattray fell some 1,200ft during his descent of Mont Blanc. Last night Mr Pat Falvey, one of Ireland's most accomplished climbers, said Mont Blanc held a great attraction for climbers but was very difficult to climb.
Mr Rattray's body will be taken 150 km by road from the funeral parlour in Chamonix to Lyons, probably tomorrow. The body will then be flown to Dublin and possibly on to Cork for burial.
Mr Daniel Simon, the French climber who fell with Mr Rattray, was still in a coma in the Geneva cantonal hospital yesterday.