The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has appealed to witnesses to an incident in Galway in which a man drowned in the river Corrib.
The investigation into the incident, which occurred on Wednesday night, has been referred to the Garda Ombudsman by the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.
The 43-year-old man, named locally as David Johnston and of Scottish origin, is reported to have been stopped at a Garda checkpoint after 6pm on Wednesday.
He is reported to have left his vehicle when approached and jumped into the river, which is currently in full spate, from O’Brien’s Bridge.
Search
Galway gardaí alerted the emergency services at 6.20pm, and the Irish Coast Guard sought the assistance of the RNLI Galway lifeboat, Galway Fire Brigade and the Shannon-based rescue helicopter.
Galway RNLI said it launched within six minutes from the nearby docks, and searched the estuary, the harbour and entrance to Lough Atalia, while the fire brigade and gardaí searched the river banks.
Rescue
A member of Galway Fire Brigade spotted the man near the entrance to the lower bridge at Lough Atalia and brought him to shore, according to the RNLI.
The man was airlifted by the helicopter to the nearby bridge, where he was examined by emergency services and taken by ambulance to University Hospital Galway.
The Garda Ombudsman said that the man was pronounced dead at the hospital at 7.50pm, and said a post mortem would be conducted.
It said that the incident was referred to it in accordance with section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Garda Ombudsman’s office at 1890-600800.
