Upwards of 60 rescuers are now involved in the search for a man missing, after being swept out to sea off the West Cork coast.
Two people were killed in yesterday's drowning tragedy – which happened at the beacon in Baltimore Harbour.
Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed that one of the deceased is Barry Ryan – the son of Primark and Penneys founder Arthur Ryan.
10 boats – each with a crew of about 4 rescuers have taken part in the search to the east of Baltimore Harbour so far – while a further 20 people are combing the shoreline.
They’re searching for 21-year-old Barry Davis Ryan – who was swept out to sea in a freak wave which claimed the life of his girlfriend 20-year-old Niamh O’Connor from Glanmire and his father Barry Ryan.
Many of the divers involved in today’s operation have had little rest after several hours of intensive searching over the past day.
But the Coast Guard’s SouthWest Sector Manager Tim O’Keefe says rescuers are resolute.
The Ryan family at the centre of the tragedy were well known in Baltimore – 51-year-old Barry was the son of the Arthur Ryan – the founder of the Primark retail giant.
Searchers are now expected to intensify in the coming hours – with a Coast Guard helicopter from Waterford also now deployed.
