A massive air and sea search for a man reported missing in Dunmore East, Co Waterford, was called off yesterday morning when he turned up safe and well, writes Dick Grogan, in Waterford.
Gardai are now investigating the circumstances of the incident and have already carried out a preliminary interview with the 29-year-old Waterford City man.
The two-day search had involved the Dunmore East lifeboat, two Air Corps helicopters, a Naval Service diving team and the Waterford Sub-Aqua Club, as well as local units of the Irish Marine Emergency Service, local boat owners and other members of the public.
The man was reported missing on Tuesday and a preliminary search began. He had last been seen outside a restaurant close to the harbour in Dunmore East. First reports suggested he might have fallen from a rowing boat in the harbour area. Early in the search items of wet clothing believed to belong to the missing man were found on the deck of a yacht moored about 100 yards offshore.
The search was then intensified, and some rescue unit resources were diverted on Wednesday from the ongoing search operation at Bannow Bay in Co Wexford for Jonathan Dowdall (7), believed drowned with his uncle, Mr Michael Gaffney, after they were trapped by the incoming tide on Tuesday evening.
An Air Corps search-and-rescue Sikorsky helicopter from Baldonnel initially joined the Dunmore East operation, and later the Waterford Airport-based Air Corps Alouette SAR helicopter took part.
The man arrived back at his parents' home in Waterford yesterday morning, apparently unaware of the major search for him. Gardai questioned him soon afterwards, and a spokesman said their investigation was continuing.