LAST UPDATE | 13 Aug 2024

A BODY HAS been found during a search off the Waterford coast for a kayaker who has been missing since yesterday.

The Irish Coast Guard has confirmed it has concluded the search operation after the man’s body was located today by the Bonmahon Coast Guard unit at around 8.30am off Ballyvoyle head, Co Waterford and recovered from the water by a naval service rib.  

An extensive search was co-ordinated by the marine rescue co-ordination centre, Dublin and by naval vessel LE Aobhinn as on-scene co-ordinator, and supported by Coast Guard Units from Bonmahon, Dunmore East, Tramore, Ardmore and Youghal. Teams from Dunmore East, Helvick and Youghal RNLI were also involved, the Coast Guard said.

Wind and low lying mist in the area had meant conditions were “challenging”, a spokesperson for the search party said.

The man aged in his 60s departed from Helvick Head in Dungarvan at 11.30am yesterday but did not return.

The Irish Coast Guard was contacted at 5.25pm yesterday and the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in Dublin initiated a search.

Searches were suspended yesterday evening and resumed at 5am this morning.

A spokesperson at the Department of Transport said Irish Coast Guard Units from Bunmahon, Admore, Tramore, Youghal and Dunmore East had all been tasked for today’s search efforts.

Rescue helicopter R117 had been tasked to join the search, as wind conditions allow.

This is a breaking story with more to follow.