Body of Thomas Rawley found in River Lee as search continues for two Corkmen

The daughter of a man whose body was recovered from the River Lee yesterday, almost a month after he was reported missing, has issued an emotional thank you to all who helped in the search.

Ciara Rawley expressed her thanks on Facebook after the body, believed to be that of her father, Thomas, was recovered from the water near the city centre.

Mr Rawley, 63, from Bishopstown, was last seen in the South Main St area of the city at about 7.30am on December 22.

Dozens of volunteers had been involved in several major search operations along both channels of the river Lee right through the Christmas period.

Finally, just after 10am yesterday, the body of a man in clothes matching those he was last seen wearing was recovered from the water near Horgan’s Quay.

Gardaí later confirmed the remains were those of Mr Rawley.

Official confirmation from gardai that the body of Thomas Rawley, 63, missing since Dec 22, was recovered from the river Lee earlier #Cork

— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) January 12, 2016

Ms Rawley, who had been using Facebook to appeal for volunteers to help in the search, used social media later to thank everyone who had helped.

“I just want to say a big heartfelt thank you to each and everyone of you for all yer help and support in the last few weeks,” she said.

“My dad was found this morning — thank you all again so much from myself and my family.”

Mr Rawley was one of three men who went missing in Cork City over Christmas.

Searches are continuing for Colin Ronayne, 31, who was last seen early on New Year’s Day.

Colin Ronayne

Gardaí have traced Mr Ronayne’s last known location to near Thomas Davis Bridge, known locally as Wellington Bridge, at 6.05am on January 1.

They have appealed for anyone who may have used or crossed the bridge between 5.30am and 6.30am on that day to contact them.

A coast guard helicopter joined searches for Mr Ronayne again yesterday, just days after an intensification of searches along the River Lee over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Ciara Byrne, the partner of Diarmuid Twomey, 31, who vanished from the northside of the city on December 20 as he tried to make his way from Fairhill to their home in Carrignavar, says she has told their children their father is in heaven.

Diarmuid Twomey

Despite exhaustive searches in and around the Whitechurch area, Mr Twomey has not been found. His mother died last week.

Gardaí are still appealing for three men who visited Whitechurch Recycling Centre between 6am and 6.30am on December 20 to contact them so that they can be eliminated from their enquiries.