Body of missing kayaker recovered from lake

The body of a young father, missing for five days after he embarked on a kayaking adventure has been recovered from a lake near his home at Cromane, Co Kerry.

As the search for Neilus O’Connor, 38, neared the end of its fifth day, his brother-in-law and a close family friend made the grim discovery at White Sands Lake, shortly after 3.30pm, close to where his upturned kayak and paddle had been found on Friday.

His body was removed to Kerry General Hospital for an autopsy.

Mr O’Connor’s partner, Melissa Clifford, and the couple’s 10-week-old daughter Hannah, were being comforted last night by relatives and friends.

Many questions remain unanswered about Mr O’Connor’s disappearance, including why he had left his home to go kayaking at 3am.