Laois Civil Defence was called in to assist Kildare Civil Defence and Gardai
with the search for a missing person in Athy in Co. Kildare this weekend.

The person was feared drowned after being washed into the River Barrow in the town on Friday night. The river was in a flooded state at the time.

Both of the Laois boats were in operation on the river on Saturday and Sunday along with the Athy Civil Defence boat unit.

Volunteers also took part in the land search along the riverbank and an Air Corps helicopter searched flooded countryside.

The Garda Boat Unit and Sub-aqua team joined the search on Sunday but the bad weather and high water level delayed the underwater search until Monday morning. A body was recovered early that afternoon. The identity has not yet been confirmed.

ends