Search for Wexford fisherman called off

A search for a fisherman missing off the Wexford coast was called off this evening.

The lobster fisherman from Kilmore Quay went fishing about 9am but was was reported missing at 12.40pm.

Two local fishermen who had been fishing close to the Saltee Islands noticed that his boat was making no movement after which they went to investigate the vessel.

They found no one on board.

They followed the trail of lobster pots laid by the missing fisherman, but the failed to locate anyone tangled in the pots or nets. Having pulled the pots on board there was no sight of any missing person with just four lobster pots on board.

A search operation was immediately launched, with two lifeboats, one from Rosslare and one from Kilmore Quay, joining local small boats at the scene.

The rescue search helicopter from Waterford also joined in the search. Naval divers from Shannon also joined the search later but came ashore along with the search vessels as darkness came in.