Body discovered in Co Kerry mountain search

A body of a man, believed to have gone missing in Co Kerry earlier this week, has been found today.

A body of a man, believed to have gone missing in Co Kerry earlier this week, has been found today.

Rescue teams comprising some 50 people resumed the search this morning for a man in his 40s who had camped on the McGillycuddy Reeks overnight. They were joined by an Irish Coastguard helicopter at about 9.30am.

After the helicopter spotted an orange piece of equipment that can be used as a sleeping bag, it ferried rescuers and equipment up the mountain. A team made a further ascent and found the man's body at 10.45am.

The man's body was stretchered some way down the mountain and was then taken by helicopter to Kerry General Hospital in Tralee.

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The man had been walking with a group of people in the area on Wednesday. When they finished the walk he camped out overnight and was due to meet with friends yesterday morning.

However, he did not meet his friends, and they were unable to contact him all day. They became anxious and alerted gardaí yesterday evening.

Members of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team began the search at 7pm last night. Over 20 people were searching primary walking routes, paths, gullies and ridges. They continued the search until midnight and resumed at 6.30am today.