Search continues in Athlone for missing Roscommon man

Searches are continuing in Athlone for a Taughmaconnell man now missing over three weeks.

54-year-old Sean Spellman was last seen on Saturday, January 16, close to 6pm in the area near the Luan Gallery, at Grace Road, which is now known as Elliott Road.

Over the weekend the search effort was bolstered by several different voluntary organisations and groups, and Supt Fran Nicholson from Roscommon Garda said on Monday he was very appreciative of their efforts in extremely cold temperatures.

Members of Athlone Sub-Aqua Club's SAR unit along with teams from Shannonside Sub Aqua Club, County Longford Scuba Divers and Roscommon Civil Defence assisted in the search of the River Shannon, a post on Athlone Sub Aqua Club's Facebook page said on Sunday. The flood waters have greatly increased the search area, the club added.

Members of the Garda Water Unit are continuing to search for the missing man today (Monday). They were joined last week by the Garda Air Support Unit.

Sean Spellman had come to Athlone on Saturday afternoon of January 16 to do some shopping in the town and would normally return home around 5.30pm. He was last sighted close to the Luan Gallery just before 6pm on that evening.

Extensive searches have taken place in the town since that date and are ongoing.