This article is from page 3 of the 2013-12-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
A SEARCH will continue today for a man who was swept into the sea off the North Clare coast at the weekend.
The man, believed to be a Latvian national in his 40s, was fishing with a friend near the lighthouse at Blackhead when he fell into the water. It is understood his friend went to get a life buoy but when he returned the man was no longer visible in the water.
The alarm was raised after gardaí at Tuam Garda Station contacted their colleagues in Ennistymon Garda Station. The Irish Coast Guard marine rescue coordination centre mounted a search operation at around 4.30pm on Sunday evening.
The Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard unit was alerted and mobilised while the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter was also tasked. The RNLI lifeboat based at Inis Mór in the Aran Islands was also sent to assist in the search.
That search continued yesterday along a stretch of coastline from Fanore to Ballyvaughan.
The five-hour search, which involved the Doolin Irish Coast Guard unit, a search a rescue helicopter and some local boats, was stood down on Monday evening. It is thought the search will continue over the next five or six days. It is hoped that if sea conditions improve Navy Divers and divers from local sub-aqua clubs will be able to assist in the search.