Search for bodies after car's 'sea plunge'

The Irish Coast Guard were today searching for two bodies after a vehicle was believed to have entered the sea near Doolin in Co Clare.

Two coastguard boats, garda divers and shore search parties scoured the area where a body was found on Monday for the wreckage of a four-wheel drive vehicle and possibly the bodies of two other people.

The man, whose body was found on Doolin Beach at 6.50am on Tuesday, has been identified and is believed to come from Ennis in Co Clare.

Gardaí said his name would not be released until all relations had been informed.

The Irish Coast Guard said the search was continuing as there were reports there may have been two other people in a vehicle which was believed to have entered the sea on Sunday night.

A garda at Ennistymon Garda Station said the search had been called off for the day due to weather and fading daylight without locating anything.

“The weather condition has been a problem, the high waves near the cliff edge make it hard for divers. It is the strength of the waves but the high winds have not been helping,” the garda said.

A spokesman for the coastguard said: “Two coastguard boats, garda divers and shore parties are searching for the wreckage of a jeep.”

Supt Eamon Dolan, who is heading the investigation, said gardai were carrying out an extensive search of the area.

The Doolin coast guard boat and shore search parties were dispatched on Monday after a windsurfer reported seeing a body in the water just after midday.