Search for missing man

An air and sea search was launched today for a man who went missing while out walking his dog along a stretch of the Sligo coast.

An operation involving police, two lifeboats, a helicopter and members of the Civil Defence force was launched after the man failed to return to his County Sligo home last night.

His dog ran back from Drumcliff Bay at Raghly Point, but with no sign of its owner locals raised the alarm in the early hours, the Marine Department said.

The man, in his late 30s, often walked in the bay area collecting driftwood with his dog.

Following his disappearance the Sligo Bay lifeboat was launched and a second from Bundoran was joining the operation.

An Air Corps helicopter from the Finner base in Donegal was also assisting in the search.

A Marine Department spokesman said: ‘‘A man in his late 30s was reported missing late last night in the peninsula area at Raghly Point.

‘‘Apparently he often goes around the peninsula collecting driftwood and his dog returned home with no sign of the man this morning.’’