Man’s body pulled from River Liffey

Gardaí have issued an appeal for information after the body of a man was recovered from the River Liffey on Monday.

Conal Gildea (25) from Ardara, Co Donegal, was socialising with friends on a floating music venue and bar on the River Liffey in Dublin last Friday night.

He was last seen in the early hours of Saturday morning but the alarm was not raised until he failed to return home to family members on Monday.

A missing person search was then initiated by gardaí and – on the basis of his last known movements – the Garda Water Unit carried out a search of the River Liffey. His body was recovered later that day.

It's understood gardaí are attempting to fill in the blanks in terms of where Mr Gildea was and what his last known movements were so that his family might be provided with some answers as to what happened.

The floating music venue had 50-70 people in attendance on the night in question. A working theory is that he fell off the venue and drowned – but there were no witnesses to this. Foul play is not suspected.

A file is being prepared for the Dublin City Coroner. “We’re investigating all the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and the subsequent recovery of his body,” said a garda spokesperson.

Gardaí tonight appealed to any person who was in the vicinity of Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Britain Quay, or on board a floating music venue between 3am and 8am on Saturday morning to contact them.

A number of people have come forward already and are assisting with the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Pearse Street on 01- 6669000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.

Mr Gildea’s funeral mass will take place on Sunday morning at 11am in the Church of the Holy Family, Ardara, after removal from his home at 10.30am. He will be buried afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.