Offaly Civil Defence – Search Activity, September 2012

5 October 2012

Offaly Civil Defence was activated on Saturday 29th September to assist the Gardaí in the search for a missing foreign national, missing since 2nd April.

The search was the second of its kind and was conducted in an area consisting of Land, River, Apartment Blocks, and Outbuildings. Raphael Fallon C.D.O. for Offaly was contacted by one of the Garda Regional search managers (Sgt. Michael Dardis, Birr Station) for Civil Defence assistance. It was established that a boat crew and a K9 unit would be required by the Gardaí. Laois Civil Defence was contacted for assistance. Civil Defence crews from Offaly and Laois met the Gardaí in Birr at 9:30 am for a full briefing on the search pattern, and the various pieces of information pertinent to the operation. Also in attendance was Sgt.Tom Dully Regional search manager Tullamore Station.

The search commenced at 10:00am and continued to 1pm, at which time a break for refreshments was taken. The search recommenced at 2pm following a briefing update by all the teams concerned. Various outbuildings were searched by the K9 unit and Gardaí while the land teams searched another designated area. At 4pm the search was stood down and a “Hot Debrief” was conducted. The Civil Defence crews were met and thanked by Supt. Saragh Meyler Birr, for our commitment and co-operation, and for the teamwork between the two services.

It was agreed that this interaction between the Gardaí and Civil Defence will become more commonplace in the future. In total Civil Defence supplied twenty personnel on the day.

Unfortunately the missing Polish national has not been located to date.

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