Gardaí bid to identify body found in docks

GARDAI in Galway are trying to establish the identity of a body recovered from the city’s docks yesterday.

In a busy weekend for the emergency services in the city, two other people, in an unrelated incident, were rescued from the water.

Meanwhile, last night, Irish naval vessel LE Aisling brought ashore four people rescued off the Co Clare coast after a small vessel capsized.

Under the command of Lt Comdr Brian Nolan, the naval patrol boat intercepted a rescue call from the Irish Coastguard. A Shannon marine rescue helicopter was also tasked to the scene close to the Cliffs of Moher along with an inshore lifeboat.

The four people, who were in the water when the LE Aisling arrived, were suffering from mild hypothermia. “They were treated to a hot shower and food and brought ashore at Doolin,” naval press officer Hugh Tully said last night. The emergency occurred just before teatime when the semi-rigid inflatable capsized. The four people managed to raise the alarm using a mobile phone.

Meanwhile, the body of the man drowned in Galway was recovered shortly after 10.30 am yesterday and removed to University College Hospital. A post mortem was due to be completed last night.

The Garda Press Office said an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drowning is continuing. “Gardai in the area are still trying to identify the victim, a young man” a spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Galway’s gardai are reportedly concerned about the number of accidental drownings, involving young people, in the city this year.

The drowning victim was the third water emergency within Galway in a 10-hour period from early yesterday. Fire officers recovered the body shortly after it was spotted in the docks area.

Earlier, around 3.45 am, an unnamed woman in her early 30s entered the water. A man dived into the water in an attempt to rescue her.

However, both people got into difficulties. A passer-by alerted the emergency services who succeeded in bring the pair safely ashore.

Both were taken to UCHG and were treated for shock and injuries.