Search for young boy missing near Cliffs of Moher resumes

Kenneth Fox

A multi-agency search is due to resume this morning for a young boy reported missing at the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare.

The land, air and sea search has been underway since Tuesday afternoon, when its understood the boy became separated from his family, who are holidaying here from overseas.

The Garda Water Unit, Coast Guard and RNLI have all been involved in the operation, with the assistance of the Rescue 115 helicopter - and a drone operated by Clare Civil Defence.

Watch officers at the Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island in Kerry promptly mounted a search operation after being alerted.

On Thursday. the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard launched their Delta rigid inflatable boat while gardaí responded to the area. Other members of the Doolin team also made their way by road to the cliff top where the boy was last scene.

The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115, was also tasked to the incident while the Aran Islands RNLI all-weather lifeboat was also requested to assist.

It is understood that the helicopter crew spotted what is believed to be a body in the water at the base of the cliff and directed the Coast Guard boat to the area. The area was, however, inaccessible at the time with large waves breaking on the shoreline.

After the Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat arrived at the location they launched their Y-class inflatable boat and along with the Coast Guard boat crew carried out a risk assessment but determined it was still too dangerous to attempt a recovery operation. The search was called off for the evening.