Search to resume for missing boy

A search for a 13-year-old Polish boy lost at sea will continue tomorrow when Naval Service divers resume an underwater search…

A search for a 13-year-old Polish boy lost at sea will continue tomorrow when Naval Service divers resume an underwater search off Cod’s Head on the Beara Peninsula in west Cork where the boy went missing.

A Naval Service dive team expanded the search area today for Matteus Latek who was washed into the sea along with his father, Piotr (40) as they were fishing at Cod’s Head between Allihies and Eyries on Sunday afternoon.

Divers recovered Mr Latek’s body on Wednesday morning in about eight metres of water some 100 metres from the shore and it was hoped that the divers would yesterday locate Matteus’s body in the same general area.

According to Lt Commander Terry Ward of the Naval Service, the dive team carried out a total of six dives today commencing at 8.30am but failed to find any trace of the missing boy. They will again resume their search tomorrow morning.

READ MORE

Mr Latek’s widow, Joanna was due to fly into Shannon Airport tonight and will attend a special Mass for her husband and son on Sunday at the Church of the Holy Cross in Kenmare where Mr Latek worked as a baker at the Breadcrumb Bakery.

Mr Latek’s employer at the Breadcrumb Bakery,. Manuela Goeb said there had been a tremendous response to an appeal for funds to help cover the funeral costs of the deceased.

“People have been very good - we have a donations box here in the bakery and we’ve distributed flyers all over town and there’s been a very good response - everyone here in Kenmare is really saddened by what happens and wants to help,” she said.

Ms Goeb appealed to people to give any amount, however small. Donation may be lodged to the 'Piotr and Matteus Fund' at Bank of Ireland, Kenmare. The sort code is 905731 and the account number is 28414889.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times