Search for missing teenager resumes off Donegal

The search for a teenager who went missing while swimming with friends off the Co Donegal coast is resuming later today.

A day-long operation to find the 17-year-old boy in Lough Swilly was called off last night when darkness fell.

The teenager, from Co Derry, was last seen near Rathmullan Pier at around 1.30am yesterday morning.

He had gone swimming with three friends after an 18th birthday party in the area.

Family members maintained a solemn vigil on the shoreline throughout the day as the search took place.

A helicopter dispatched from Sligo was helped by local fishing crews and lifeboats from the Irish Coastguard station at Mulroy.

Divers from the Sheephaven sub-aqua club also assisted.

The divers were due to go back into the water at 8am, with the lifeboats recommencing their search later.

Joe Joyce from Lough Swilly RNLI said the incident appeared to be an after-party celebration gone wrong.

“There was an 18th birthday party and I think some of them went for a swim afterwards,” he said. “Four went into the water and only three came back out.”