Formal identification awaited after body found off Baltimore

By Noel Baker

Formal identification is awaited this evening after a body was found earlier today in the search for 20-year-old Barry Davis Ryan.

The Irish Coast Guard office in Valentia confirmed that the body discovered today, which was covered in weeds, was spotted by a local diver in a sandy patch in the centre of the eastern hole at a depth of around 24m, not far from where Barry Davis Ryan was last seen on the evening of June 30.

The discovery was made at 1.25pm and the local diver immediately alerted a team of Naval divers, who were among those assisting the search effort over recent days.

They then recovered the body, which was transferred to a RIB operated by John Kearney of the West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue Unit, who then brought the body ashore, with gardaí then assuming responsibility.

More than 200 dives were conducted yesterday as 83 divers - both local and those who travelled from around the country - helped in the search effort.

80 divers from across Ireland join in Baltimore search, reports @noelbaker1 | http://t.co/T6K0LQHuX9 (RMC) pic.twitter.com/oNIEe16vGy

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) July 10, 2015

More dives were due to take place today, but there were warnings over deteriorating weather.

However, conditions this morning were more favourable than first expected, allowing a number of extra dives to take place and ultimately leading to the discovery this afternoon.