Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Members of the search team gathering this morning ahead of the SEMRA. SEMRA
Missing

Body found in search for missing woman on the Comeragh Mountains

The woman, who is an experienced trail runner, went out for a run yesterday afternoon and never returned home.

LAST UPDATE | Apr 19th 2021, 7:35 PM

GARDAÍ HAVE SAID that a body has been found during a the search for a missing trail runner off the Comeragh Mountains.

Search teams and a rescue helicopter had been searching for the woman, who is in her 40s, after she was reported missing at 3pm yesterday by a relative.

Gardaí said in a statement this evening that a scene has been preserved following the discovery of a body in the Comeragh Mountains area of Waterford.

No further information is available, it said, and investigations are ongoing.

According to Liz Browne, a spokeswoman for the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association, search operations were hampered yesterday by mist and fog on the Waterford mountain range.

It is believed the woman was on the Coumshingaun Loop, a popular but challenging route. Earlier, the South-Eastern Mountain Rescue had asked walkers in Nire Valley, Rathgormack or Mahon Falls to keep an eye out for anything unusual.

Image from iOS The area being searched by Mountain Rescue and Garda teams. Rescue 117 Rescue 117

“The operation began immediately the call was made. A relative contacted to say that she had not returned home at 3pm.

“SEMRA put search teams onto the mountain and we were assisted by the Coastguard helicopter, but due to a very low cloud base and foggy conditions they were not able to go high up.

“We’re back there now at first light and we would appeal to anyone in the area to keep a look out, drivers or farmers, just anything at all could bring this woman home,” she said.

The spokeswoman said in normal circumstances SEMRA are able to pinpoint a missing person by the use of their phone.

“We would normally send a text message to the phone and as soon as that is opened we can pinpoint where they are but that we believe she has become separated from her phone.

“This has meant that we are doing a traditional search on a very large area.

“The loop, in bad weather, would be very difficult to navigate. It is possible, and we are hoping, that she took a wrong turn and hunkered down for the night.

“We will continue our operation throughout today, we have about 20 on there now, but we expect much more people will join us this afternoon.

“We have called in assistance from units across the country including Wicklow and Kerry and the Civil Defence are also here. Gardaí are also helping in the operation,” she added.

Update by Gráinne Ní Aodha.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
34
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel