Update:
Thursday, November 16th – The search for a young man last seen in Co Clare has been stood down after a body discovered on the smallest of the Aran Islands was formally identified.
Gardaí had sought the public’s assistance tracing 23-year-old Robert Funke who was reported to have been last seen on Sunday 5th November 2023 in the Dromroe Village area of Castletroy in Limerick city. Robert was a student at the University of Limerick.
Searches had been carried in the Limerick area but were switched to Co Clare when it was confirmed that a young man fitting Robert’s description was spotted here.
Members of the Doolin and Kilkee units of the Irish Coast Guard were requested to assist in the operation along with volunteers from Clare Civil Defence.
The Shannon based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115, carried out a comprehensive search along the coastline from Doolin south to Quilty. Coast Guard and Civil Defence personnel undertook cliff top searches however the operation was stood down when there was no trace of the missing man.
The search had also been hampered by poor weather in the area.
On Monday, a body was discovered washed up on the shoreline on Inis Oírr. The body was recovered from the location by members of the Inis Oírr unit of the Irish Coast Guard, which is managed by Doolin Coast Guard.
The body was taken to the mainland at Rossaveal by the Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat. From there, the remains were taken to University Hospital Galway where a post-mortem examination was carried out.
The search for Robert has since been stood down following confirmation that a body had been found.
Saturday, November 11th – A major search was carried out in North Clare today for a young man reported missing from Limerick last weekend.
Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance tracing 23-year-old Robert Funke who had been last seen on Sunday 5th November 2023 in the Dromroe Village area of Castletroy in Limerick city.
Gardaí mounted a search for the young man after they established that he had been seen in the North Clare area.
Members of the Doolin and Kilkee units of the Irish Coast Guard were requested to assist in the operation along with volunteers from Clare Civil Defence.
The Shannon based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115, joined the search this morning. The helicopter crew carried out a comprehensive search along the coastline from Doolin south to Quilty.
Coast Guard and Civil Defence personnel carried out a cliff top search however the operation was stood down when there was no trace of the missing man.
Searches will continue however the weather is expected to deteriorate in the coming days which could hamper efforts.
