Man reported missing as river search continues

THE Garda Water Unit searched a west Cork river yesterday after a man was reported missing.

Gardaí and Coastguard volunteers have been scouring the River Bandon in west Cork since early on Monday after reports of a body in the water.

The search was launched after one report that a man had been seen in the water near Bandon town centre, followed by another report that a man had been seen entering the water at a nearby location.

The search continued through Monday and Tuesday, but nothing was found. The operation was scaled up yesterday after gardaí were notified about a missing local person.

Patrick ‘Packie’ Williamson, 35, originally from Clonakilty but who lives in Bandon with his wife, Mary, was officially classed as a missing person.

Ms Williamson appealed for anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the authorities.

Gardaí said they still do not know the identity of the person who may have entered the river, or whether the circumstances are suspicious.

However, they have viewed CCTV footage showing a person close to the river in Bandon town in the early hours of Monday morning, around the same time the first reports came in to them. The person was wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt.

Garda divers began an underwater search of the river yesterday morning focusing their attention on several deep holes, along a 13km stretch between Bandon and Innishannon.

River conditions, which hampered the early stages of the search, have improved. Water levels have dropped, the speed of the flow has eased and the water clarity has improved.

Anyone with information should contact Bandon Garda Station on 023-52200.