The search for two men feared lost in a river in Co Clare following separate incidents resumed this morning.
Divers from the search and recovery units of four sub aqua clubs joined the search for two men missing since last Saturday and Tuesday. Members of Galway Civil Defence also travelled to Clare with a boat fitted with sonar equipment.
The first of two multi-agency search and rescue operations was mounted last Sunday when a man in his 60s was reported missing from his home in Ennis since the previous night.
Gardaí mounted an initial search and later requested additional assistance from the Irish Coast Guard who dispatched the volunteer unit from Kilkee station as well as the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter.
On Monday at first light, volunteers from Clare Civil Defence commenced ground searches in the area around the missing man’s home. The team also launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in an effort to locate the man.
Neighbours, friends and work colleagues of the man also joined the search. A second drone team from Galway Civil Defence assisted in the operation.
The searched moved to the River Fergus on Tuesday when Clare Civil Defence volunteers launched two boats and carried out a comprehensive search.
Later on Tuesday, emergency services were alerted after person was spotted entering the same river. A major search and rescue operation was quickly mounted.
Units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from nearby Ennis station including specially trained swift-water rescue technicians (SRTs) were mobilised along with Clare Civil Defence, the National Ambulance Service and Gardaí.
Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry were also alerted and members of the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard tasked to the scene. The operation was stood down at around 7.00pm when there was no sign of the man.
When the search resumed on Wednesday, Clare Civil Defence were looking for two missing men. Divers from the search and recovery section of Ennis Sub Aqua Club also joined in the search.
Further searches of the riverbank continued on Thursday before divers rejoined the effort on Friday.
The search resumed this morning (Saturday) with divers from the search and recovery units of Ennis, Burren, Kilkee and Lough Derg Sub Aqua Clubs, all affiliated with the Irish Underwater Council (Diving Ireland).
Volunteers from Galway Civil Defence also travelled to Clare with a boat fitted with sonar equipment. Clare Civil Defence also launched two boats as part of the continuing operation. A comprehensive search of the river was conducted but no trace of either man was found.
The search has been stood down for the day and is expected to resume on Sunday.
