Volunteers continue search for Jonathan Herlihy
Boat owners from as far away as Dundalk have offered their services to help end the agony for the Herlihy family desperate to find their missing son, Jonathan.
The massive search operation, which is now in its sixth day, continued today, when up to 25 vessels were expected in the water to search for the missing 22-year-old.
Search leaders have received offers of help from Sub Aqua clubs all around Munster and the Navy dive squad has signalled its intentions to keep searching for as long as it takes.
Jonathan went missing on Sunday afternoon, along with 36-year-old Peter O’Keeffe, at Owenahincha Beach, after saving two swimmers from drowning.
Peter’s remains were found on Tuesday evening, not far from where the pair went missing, but the agonising wait continues for the Herlihy family.
Three trawlers will take part in today’s search, which will continue to focus on Rosscarbery Bay, where Peter’s body was found.
The Navy ship Le Aoife began operations this morning at 6.15am.
Organiser of the search, Brian Lotty, who is a cousin of Jonathan’s mum, Eileen, said: “We’ve had a tremendous response and there is sufficient volunteers to help out. The Navy divers have been fantastic, they are all committed to the search.”
Conditions were perfect this morning but inclement weather was forecast for the afternoon, which could hamper the operation.
The search will cover more than 20 miles of coastline, stretching from the old head of Kinsale to Toe Head.
Yesterday’s search included canoes, jet skis, fishing trawlers, pleasure boats and Navy and garda dive units.
A civilian helicopter circled the area yesterday afternoon and underwater cameras searched the sea bed.
Civil Defence teams, supported by friends and family, led the cliff and shore search and abseiling units scaled the mountain side.
