Search to resume for missing Polish father and son
The father, aged 40, and his 13-year-old son, were fishing on rocks at Cod’s Head, on the Beara peninsula in West Cork on Sunday.
Conditions at the time were described as windy, with strong gusts and high seas. The tides are also known to be treacherous.
It is understood that the man, who lives and works in Kenmare, set out with his son on Sunday morning to fish in the Castletownbere area and then moved to Cod’s Head.
The pair were reported missing to gardaí in Kenmare at 9.30am yesterday.
Following inquiries with gardaí in West Cork, the father’s car was found at 10.45am parked at an area known locally as The Arches, at Coominches, north west of Allihies village. A fishing rod and other gear was found on rocks nearby.
It is feared that the father and son either fell into the sea, or were swept away by a freak wave, sometime on Sunday afternoon.
The alarm was raised with Valentia Coast Guard who tasked the Castletownbere lifeboat at 12.20pm.
It began searching off Cod’s Head and north east towards Eyeries.
Members of the Castletownbere Coast Guard were also involved in a shore search along the rugged coastline.
The Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter, which is equipped with infra-red cameras, swept the coastline for several hours before refuelling.
Weather conditions were fair, with a south south easterly force four wind.
The search ended when darkness fell last night but it is due to resume at first light this morning.
However, given the length of time between when the father and son went missing, and when the alarm was raised yesterday, hopes of finding the two alive are fading.
Superintendent Liam Horgan, who is co-ordinating the Garda element of the search, appealed for anyone who may have seen the missing father and son fishing at Cod’s Head on Sunday morning to contact gardaí.
“It would help us to pinpoint an exact time and location,” he said.
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