Cork West Civil Defence – Sheep’s Head Search – 10th – 14th February 2014

17 February 2014

Cork West Civil Defence personnel were activated at 8am on Monday 10th February to assist in the search for two men who had been reported missing in the area of the Sheeps Head Peninsula, Co. Cork. Search Teams from Civil Defence and Irish Coastguard were briefed and tasked to specific zones on the northern shore of the peninsula, and at 12.30pm a body was spotted in an isolated inlet, which was recovered from the sea by the Waterford based Rescue 117 helicopter. The search focus area for the second missing person was subsequently reduced to concentrate on this location, and continued until last light at approximately 5.30pm.

The search operation continued at first light on Tuesday 11th, with Civil Defence volunteers continuing to search in conjunction with an Garda Siochana, Irish Coastguard units, Castletownbere RNLI and LE Eithne. Due to the worsening weather conditions the search was suspended at 1pm. 15 Cork West Civil Defence personnel resumed the inter-agency search at 9am on Thursday 13th February. The search has been suspended today, Friday 14th February due to the severe weather conditions.

A total of 42 Cork West volunteers have been engaged as search managers, search team members and static coastal spotters during this time, as well as providing casualty cover for all personnel involved in the operation.

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