The search for two tourists feared missing in Kilkee since the weekend is continuing.
Gardaí at Kilrush have issued an appeal for assistance in establishing the whereabouts of the two Japanese nationals who have not been seen since Saturday.
Eiji Takagi, a 63-year-old man with joint American & Japanese Nationality and Ms Ushio Azaki (61) a Japanese national, are known to have checked out of a hotel in Spanish Point on Saturday morning.
Their hired car was found parked in a car park at Georges Head car park, Kilkee. Co Clare, it is believed this car was parked there shortly after 9pm on Saturday.
Gardaí have confirmed that the pair were due to take a flight from Shannon Airport on Monday to Heathrow Airport for onward connection to Tokyo, Japan but failed to show up for this flight.
Members of the Kilkee unit of the Irish Coast Guard have been carrying out land searches since around 5.15pm yesterday while the Shannon based Irish Coast Guard helicopter has also carried out sweeps of the area.
Volunteers from the Doolin unit of the service have also arrived in the Kilkee to assist in the search.
Three rescue boats were launched last night and conducted water based searches of the area.
Irish Coast Guard Officer in Charge Martony Vaughan confirmed that further assets will be requested and mobilised if required.
“Conditions were good last night and are good this morning but the weather is expected to deteriorate as the day goes on. We will continue to search as long as conditions allow,” Mr Vaughan added.
Investigating Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information in relation to the whereabouts of these people or to any person who may have seen their car prior to its finding in Kilkee ( A red Hyundai 151-D23003) to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 065 908 0550, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.