The body of an elderly Meath man who disappeared from his home five days ago was recovered in the river Boyne yesterday following a four-day search.
John Pidgeon (79) had not been seen since he left his home in Dowth in the early hours of Monday morning. Friends, neighbours and members of the Civil Defence took part in the search, which was co-ordinated by gardaí in Navan.
The Garda air support unit, dog unit and the Coast Guard were involved in the initial days of the search.
Gardaí appealed to farmers and other landowners to check their land and outhouses but the search subsequently focused in on an area of the Boyne known as the Curly Hole. The scenic area is a notorious location for drownings.
Mr Pidgeon's body was located shortly after noon yesterday approximately 100 yards from the Curly Hole. It was found on the riverbed on the north side of the river by divers from the Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery Service. The body was taken to the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk for a postmortem examination.