People continued to take their lives in their hands at a notoriously dangerous fishing spot in Co Clare as the search continued for a Russian man washed into the sea on Saturday.
The fearless shore anglers cast their rods into rough seas close to the treacherous Blue Pool just a few hundred metres from where garda divers searched for the missing man.
The angler in his 40’s, who had been living in Limerick, was fishing from a low ledge at the Blue Pool near Doonbeg in West Clare. It’s understood he was struck by a rogue wave which washed him into the sea.
The man’s friend tried to save him but was unable to do so. It’s believed he then panicked and drove over 60kms to Limerick where told friends who raised the alarm.
As Coast Guard teams from Kilkee and Killaloe patrolled the cliff tops yesterday, they could only watch helplessly as a group of four people clambered out onto a rocky head despite waves crashing around them. As water rushed onto the rocks behind them, all four left the area finally realising the danger. A short time later, the rocky outcrop was completely covered by the incoming tide.
On Sunday morning, when Coast Guard members arrived to recommence their search, they met a group of men who had been fishing from at the location. The men, who are believed to have camped nearby overnight, are thought to have gone fishing at first light apparently unaware of the previous days tragedy.
Later in the day, another group of people was asked to move away from the area as the search for the missing man continued. The group, believed to be Eastern European, included a young child.
Meanwhile, the wife and sister of the missing man visited the scene of the search yesterday. They were accompanied by gardaí from Kilrush and stayed in the area for a time observing the diving operation.
Members of the Garda Water Unit carried out a number of dives in the area yesterday while a boat from Doolin Coast Guard searched small coves and inlets.
Clare Civil Defence has also been requested to assist in the search by providing small unmanned aircraft (SUA). The team has a number of members trained in drone operations and have assist in several searches since the technology was introduced.
The ongoing operation, which is being coordinated by staff at the marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island, has to date involved Coast Guard units from Kilkee, Doolin and Killaloe as well as the Garda Water Unit, Rescue 115 and divers from sub aqua clubs from Ennis, Burren, Kilkee, Limerick and Lough Derg.
The search is expected to resume this morning with Naval Service divers due to arrive in Clare.