Search area shifts in Lough Ree

Over a week on from the Lough Ree boating tragedy, and the focus of the search for 30-year-old Daryl Burke has shifted.


RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Damien Delaney, told the Westmeath Independent today (Friday) that the operation has now moved into the main lake, to the east and south of Yew Point where the small Dory boat carrying the three fishermen capsized eight days ago.


He pointed out that divers felt the initial area where John Trimble, who was helping in the search yesterday, and the late David Warnock who died in hospital last week, were found has been searched thoroughly at this stage and they are now examining the main lake section by section.


A number of what he called points of interest discovered by boats with scanning equipment are also being investigated today by gardai today, while the RNLI boat are concentrating their search on an area in Carna, where the seat of the boat was found some days ago. Crews from the Civil Defence are also walking the shoreline as part of today’s search.


Divers from Meath, Dublin and Northern Ireland are assisting a large group from Athlone Sub Aqua Club in the operation today.