Search on for missing fisherman
Coastguard units were joined by an Irish Navy vessel and local sailors in the hunt for the man, in his 50s, who set sail last night.
Weather conditions were said to be good in Kenmare Bay, Co Kerry, where the search for the 20-foot single-engine pleasure craft was concentrated.
The coastguard said the boat had been found but no one was on board.
Navy divers began a search operation. News of the search will be a further blow to Ireland’s fishing and sailing communities on a day four people, including three generations of one family, were buried in Co Wexford after they drowned when their fishing boat sank on Sunday.
Coastguard spokesman Tom McLoughlin said: “We understand the man went out yesterday evening on a pleasure craft sometime around 7.30. Apparently he was on his own in the boat.”
Mr McLoughlin said an Irish Navy vessel, the LE Ciara, with divers on board, was also on route to the search site between Dinish Ireland and Templenoe Point.
In-shore rescue units were scouring the sea in the area.
