A group of boisterous boat users are believed to have been responsible for sparking a search operation on Lough Derg earlier today.
The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat launched shortly before daybreak following reports that “calls for help” were heard on the lake.
Gardaí at Nenagh, Co Tipperary had received the report of at around 5.00am and the Irish Coast Guard was quickly alerted.
The Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat crew later learned that a cruiser was seen leaving the nearby public harbour around the same time as the calls were heard.
The lifeboat crew quickly located a cruiser at anchor close to the navigation channel outside Dromineer Bay. The passengers were roused and asked check that everyone was accounted for on board.
Those on board admitted they may have been making some noise as they left the harbour earlier.
The lifeboat crew checked the cruiser’s companion boat that was moored in Domineer Harbour. Once it was established neither vessel was missing a passenger, the search was stood down.
It’s now believed that persons on board a cruiser had sparked the emergency.