A boat has been discovered in the search for a missing Co Armagh fisherman Daryl Burke in Lough Ree.
The 30-year-old father of three was on a boat which sank in poor weather after setting off from the pier at Hodson Bay, Co Roscommon on Thursday, March 20th.
His friends John Trimble (60) and David Warnock, who was 27, were pulled from the water but Mr Warnock later died.
Lough Ree RNLI lifeboat station operations manager Damien Delaney said the find has given searchers a boost.
“The boat was found yesterday evening at around 7 o’clock in the Ballybay area to the south-west of Yew Point,” he explained.
The boat was located in around five metres of water in the general search area. “This has been a major boost to our confidence. We have a point of reference we can now radiate out from,” said Mr Delaney.
He said search teams did not expect to find Mr Burke in the boat as the surviving fisherman, Mr Trimble, had informed them the three men were on the surface of the water after the boat was sank.
Irish Navy divers have joined in the search operation. They will join garda divers, who have maintained a constant presence at the lake.
While the boat has given search teams a reference point, there can be movement underwater and there are “many variables” when trying to locate someone, cautioned Mr Delaney.
A recovery operation is underway this morning to remove the boat which was marked yesterday, said Mr Delaney.
“His family are still down here. It’s very tough on them,” he added.