THE BODY of a diver was recovered in waters off Arranmore Island, Co Donegal, yesterday. The woman, who was in her late 30s and from the Manchester area of England, was diving with friends on Saturday afternoon when she got into difficulties as she surfaced just off Arranmore Island.
The alarm was raised at about 1pm and the rescue operation involved search and rescue helicopters, the Arranmore Lifeboat and a number of diving teams. Two diving units from Dundalk, who were in the locality, also joined the search.
The search was called off on Saturday night as darkness fell and resumed again yesterday just after 4am.
Shortly after 10am her body was recovered, in waters about 15m deep near where she had been diving, by members of the Sheephaven Sub Aqua Club.
More than 20 local boats and 60 divers had joined in the coastal search.
The sea off the rugged coast of Arranmore Island remained moderately calm as the search was conducted.
Ian Scott from Malin Head Coastguard Radio said fishing and pleasure boats responded immediate when they issued the emergency call.
“As soon as we issued the call all the local boats in the area responded,” he said.
Coastguard helicopters from Sligo and from Dublin were involved, together with the Arranmore lifeboat and the search and rescue units from Bunbeg.
Nora Flanagan, RNLI spokeswoman, said: “The RNLI received a call at around one o’clock on Saturday. [The diver] apparently did surface and it appeared she was in difficulty.”
Local Minister of State Pat the Cope Gallagher was at Burtonport pier when her body was taken ashore by divers.
He offered his sympathy to the woman’s family and her diving colleagues.
He also praised the rescue services for their work and particularly the many volunteers who had helped in the search.
The woman’s body was removed to Letterkenny General Hospital where a post mortem examination was due to take place last night.
Her name had not yet been released as gardaí were contacting her relatives.