Man missing after entering water on horseback

A man has gone missing in the River Shannon after entering the water on horseback.

The man, believed to be a father of five, from Clonglong Halting Site, Limerick City, went into the river shortly after 6pm near the University of Limerick (UL).

Searches are underway of the river near UL by Limerick Marine Search and Rescue Service and the Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter.

According to some eye-witnesses, the man got into difficulty after he entered the water with a horse at an area of the river known locally as The Sandy.

A large number of the man's family and friends who were with the man at the time are also helping to search from the riverbank.