Carlow Search – February 2014

4 February 2014

Carlow Civil Defence was called by the Gardaí on Friday 31st January to assist in the search for a missing woman on the River Barrow in Carlow town. Two boat units were deployed. The river was very high and flowing very fast. Conditions were treacherous due to the strong winds. Civil Defence was joined by the Gardaí and the Helicopter SAR assisted. The search was stood down at 9pm.

The search resumed Saturday 1st February at 8am. Carlow Civil Defence was joined by Kilkenny Civil Defence and the Garda Sub-Aqua Unit until 1pm. Due to deteriorating weather conditions the search was abandoned. In the afternoon , a land/surface search was undertaken along the river bank until 4pm.

Civil Defence received a call from Gardaí two hours later declaring that two people were in the river near Milford Bridge, 4 miles south of Carlow town. Two Civil Defence boats were deployed. On the scene were Gardaí, Carlow Fire Service and four Ambulances. The Helicopter joined the search an hour later. An infra red camera and Telescopic Water Search Camera were utilised. It appeared one person was drowned and it was decided to search a floodlight area until 11 pm.

The search continued on the morning of Sunday 2nd February at 9am with the Garda Sub-Aqua Unit and the body was recovered at approximately 10am.

The search for the missing woman which commenced on Friday resumed in Carlow Town and of the river for about eight miles south of the town for the afternoon. Carlow Civil Defence was again joined by two boats and crew from Kilkenny Civil Defence who searched the river from Goresbridge which is about 15 miles south of Carlow to Milford Bridge.

The search was unsuccessful and will be resumed in a few days.

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