A continuing search operation for the 15-year-old Dublin schoolgirl reported missing from a cruise liner off the coast of Mexico last week has reported no progress.
The Mexican navy has confirmed that the search is continuing for Lynsey O'Brien, who is feared drowned after she disappeared early on Thursday while on a cruise holiday with her family.
A Mexican navy spokesman, Capt José Angel Perez, said three boats and a helicopter were being used in the search, which is concentrated on an area of up to 100sq km around the area where the 15-year-old is thought to have fallen into the sea. He said the navy was focusing around the east side of Mujeres Island, as well as around Cozumel Island.
Lynsey, a daughter of Paul and Sandra O'Brien from Fortfield Road, Terenure, was due to return to school at Loreto High School Beaufort in Rathfarnham today after the Christmas break.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Irish Embassy in Mexico city, is helping the family liaise with Mexican authorities, a spokesman said. Embassy officials have made arrangements for the family's return to Ireland this week.
Mexican coast guard officials said the search had been slowed by rough sea conditions. According to an official, Genaro Medina, coast guard helicopters were continuing to look for her, but rescuers were no longer optimistic about finding her alive.
Lynsey, a transition-year student, is believed to have fallen into the sea early on Thursday morning from the Costa Magica cruise ship, 42km off the popular tourist destination of Isla Mujeres.
Mr Medina said: "It's really difficult [ to believe] the young woman is alive.
"The impact could have caused an instantaneous death since the distance between the railing from where she fell and the water is 30to 40 metres (100 to 130 feet)."
The ship, which is operated by Carnival Corporation, took part in the initial search for the missing girl.
It later docked at Cozumel after being given permission to leave the search area. It returned to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday.
Lynsey was on a week-long holiday with her parents, two sisters and brother. They were part of a larger gathering of long-time friends who had gone to the Caribbean from Ireland and several other countries for a holiday reunion.
