Shannon body confirmed as missing Galway man

Gardaí have confirmed that a body recovered from the river Shannon in Limerick last weekend was that of a missing Co Galway man.

Ernie Cook (51) from Kilcolgan, Co Galway, had been missing from his home since April 5 last.

There had been a number of unconfirmed sightings of Mr Cook in the Limerick area following his disappearance nearly three weeks ago.

Gardaí at Gort in Co Galway had launched an appeal for information following his disappearance.

His body was spotted by an off-duty member of the Fire Service in the river Shannon near Arthur’s Quay Park in Limerick last Saturday morning.

A post-mortem examination was carried out earlier this week at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital and formal identification was later confirmed.