Gardaí and Coast Guard continue search for man missing off Baltimore in West Cork

A search has resumed in Baltimore, West Cork, after a man failed to return from rock climbing in the area on Thursday.

The man, who is understood to be Italian, had travelled to the coastal village from Cork city to go abseiling.

A local farmer saw the man by the Beacon in Baltimore, a whitewashed stone tower on the cliffs of the harbour, in the afternoon.

But he did not return home.

His girlfriend reported him missing to gardaí, and a search operation was launched shortly afterwards.

The search and rescue operation was suspended at 1am and resumed this morning.

Some of his climbing equipment has since been found.

"Gardaí are assisting the Irish Coast Guard, the Civil Defence and local search and rescue agencies in an ongoing search operation for a man reported missing in Baltimore, Co Cork yesterday," a garda statement said.

"Searches are ongoing at this time."

More to follow.