Body found in search for missing hillwalker in Mayo

Dublin man last seen on Tuesday told family he intended to camp in Doolough Valley

The experienced hillwalker set off on Tuesday on a ridge walk towards Mweelrea, Connacht’s highest mountain at 2,686ft.
The experienced hillwalker set off on Tuesday on a ridge walk towards Mweelrea, Connacht’s highest mountain at 2,686ft.

A body has been located in the search for a missing hillwalker in south west Mayo.

Remains were located some hours ago as rescue teams continued to comb Mweelrea Mountain in their search for a Dublin man who was last seen on Tuesday.

Mayo Mountain Rescue could not confirm this afternoon that the body found earlier today was that of the missing person.

But it did state that a body had been located on "the ridge of the mountain" and will be brought later to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar for identification and a post mortem examination,

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The body was found on the fourth day of one of the largest search operations ever mounted in the west of Ireland.

Rescue teams from all over Ireland, assisted by members of hillwalking clubs, gardaí and civilians, participated in the massive search operation.

A Coastguard helicopter was also involved in the search, which was hampered by low cloud and poor weather.

The missing man, a father of two, told his family he intended to camp in the Doolough Valley area on Tuesday night after completing a ridge climb of the mountain, which is the highest in Connacht.

However, he never returned to his vehicle. His tent was in the car when it was located later near the base of the mountain.