Rough seas halt Garda search for man missing in Arklow

The Garda Water Unit has suspended its search for a missing man at Arklow pier in Co. Wicklow, saying the sea is too rough.

The man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s, believed to be a couple, drove into the water in a car at around 6am this morning.

It is understood the woman managed to escape from the car as it plunged into the sea and she is now being treated at Loughlinstown Hospital.

Arklow RNLI, a Coast Guard unit from Courtown, local gardaí and firefighters were searching the water and coastline with Garda divers.

It is understood no one on the pier saw the car smash through a barrier and enter the Irish Sea, which reached high tide shortly before 8am. Low tide will be about 3pm.

A crane is due to arrive shortly to lift the car out of the water, and reporter with the Wicklow News, Michael Kelly said it is hoped the man may still be inside the vehicle.

He said: "They have left the river at the moment because it was just too rough and they are expecting a crane to lift the car out.

"They are not sure, because of the way the river was, it was very rough, they couldn't tell if the body was in the car or gone out of it.

"They are hoping to be able to lift the car up and hopefully it is still in when the crane arrives."