Search for missing fisherman halted

A MAJOR search was called off last evening for a man who fell into sea while shore fishing at Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry.

Three people are understood to have been with the man when the accident occurred near the pier at around 3pm.

The missing man was on a pathway at the time and is believed to be from Dublin.

It is understood his hook got caught in rocks and when he went to free it, he fell into the sea.

Taking part in the search were a rescue helicopter from Shannon, Valentia Lifeboat, and coastguard and inshore rescue teams from Knightstown, Derrynane and Waterville.

A fishing rod was recovered from the sea.

An Irish couple’s tour of Australia ended in tragedy when Liam Kiely, 27, from Ballingeary, Cahir, Co Tipperary, died while swimming in Queensland.

He was touring Australia and New Zealand with his girlfriend, who is from Clogheen, since Christmas and had been due home in June.

Liam, son of Willie and Jenny Kiely, was a noted hurler and footballer and a member of Cahir GAA club. He played on the team that in 2003 won the senior county football championship for the first time and won numerous underage hurling and football medals with his club. His father is life president of the club.

Meanwhile, the search off the Co Wexford coast for two men missing from the fishing boat, the Maggie B, was called off last night and was to resume at first light today.

The vessel sank on Wednesday night.

Hundreds of people are taking part in the massive search operation.

Coastguard units from Kilmore Quay, Dunmore East, Fethard, Tramore, and Carnsore took part in the search as well as a large number of trawlers, the air and sea helicopter from Waterford and the LE Ciara.

The skipper, Glenn Cott, aged 30, from Ballycotton in Co Cork, and Jan Sankowski, a 45-year-old Polish crew member, are missing after the 15-metre trawler went down around 8km off the Hook Peninsula.

A third crew member, Kriston Pawtowski, 30, also from Poland, survived the sinking.