80 divers from across Ireland join in Baltimore search

Yesterday’s search effort was most comprehensive to date, with about 250 dives from 5am to 9pm

More than 80 divers took part in fresh efforts yesterday to find Barry Davis Ryan off the Baltimore coast in West Cork, as his family members praised those involved.

The 20-year-old student has been missing since the evening of June 30 when he, alongside his girlfriend, Niamh O’Connor, and his father, Barry, entered the water in a triple tragedy in the shadow of the Beacon.

While Niamh and Barry Ryan were quickly recovered from the water, only to both pass away shortly afterwards, Barry Davis Ryan has so far not been recovered despite intense efforts from search personnel in the days since the tragedy unfolded.

Yesterday’s comprehensive search effort was the largest yet, aided by better conditions at sea and following an appeal from local divers and Barry’s mother, Ann, for more assistance in their efforts to find him.

John Kearney of the West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue Unit, said members of Barry’s family had visited the temporary inflatable marquee provided by the Irish Army to meet some of the divers who took part in the day-long effort.

“They were absolutely overwhelmed by the response,” Mr Kearney said.

In total, 83 divers took part in the search effort yesterday, contributing to an approximate total of 250 separate dives in the eastern hole and wider Baltimore harbour area. The first dive began shortly after 5am and the last was expected to conclude at around 9pm last night.

Mr Kearney said that some of the divers had travelled from places such as Dundalk and Mayo to help with the search, aided by local fishermen, boatmen, the Irish Coast Guard, and members of the Civil Defence in West Cork.

The dive effort also involved Irish Naval dive crews and their counterparts in the Garda Dive Unit.

Shoreline searches were also conducted by members of the Civil Defence and the Irish Coast Guard, with an estimated 150 people involved throughout the day.

Mr Kearney said there was “no question” that it was the largest search party since the tragedy took place.

“There was a big scattering [of volunteers] from all over the place,” he said.

Favourable weather conditions are set to stay into today, at least in the morning, and Mr Kearney said dives were likely to take place, with many visiting divers staying in the Baltimore area overnight.

“By the time we finish we will have all the bay saturated,” he said, adding that the search area covered was “massive” and that if Barry was not found by then the search area could be expanded further.

The area covered yesterday sank to 30m in some places but widening the search area would prove challenging as there are greater depths the further out to sea one goes.

Diving is unlikely to be an option over the weekend and into Monday due to expected bad weather.

Niamh O’Connor, a student at University College Cork and who was from Glanmire, and Barry Ryan, the 51-year-old son of Penney’s founder Arthur Ryan, were laid to rest last weekend in separate funeral services in Glanmire and Baltimore.