Missing man's body found on west Cork beach

The body of a 23-year-old man, missing for a week after he assisted in a sea rescue off the coast of west Cork, was today found…

The body of a 23-year-old man, missing for a week after he assisted in a sea rescue off the coast of west Cork, was today found on a nearby beach.

Jonathan Herlihy was one of two men who drowned after going to the rescue of a young couple who got into difficulties in the water at Owenahincha Strand last Sunday.

Gardai confirmed his body was discovered by search teams this morning on the sand, between rocks, near the beach.

The body of Peter O'Keeffe, who also went to the aid of the couple, was found earlier this week.

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Mr O'Keeffe, 37, was a businessman from Grange Manor in Ovens, and Jonathan Herlihy, 23, was a UCC student from Riverstown in Glanmire,

The two men were at the beach separately when they noticed the couple in difficulties due to the rough sea conditions.

The men managed to save the couple's lives by getting a lifebuoy to them before they themselves were washed into the sea by strong waves.

Dozens of people on the beach alerted the coastguard and immediately began searching for the two men.

A rescue helicopter was deployed from Shannon, and a naval vessel also participated in the operation alongside the Courtmacsherry lifeboat, two Irish Coast Guard vessels and other fishing boats.

Naval divers were also called in to aid the search.

More than 60 people, including relatives and friends, joined the search during the week with parties covering the shoreline between Glandore Harbour and Dirk Bay.