Report from Dan Walsh at Kilmore Quay; Specialist drone technology is being used as part of the search for the missing fisherman, Willie Whelan, (41), Saltmills, which is in its fourth day. Mr Whelan and Joe Sinnott were the crew members of the trawler which sank off the Wexford coast near Hook Head last Saturday night.

Helicopter 117 was involved in today’s search along with Fethard RNLI Lifeboat and a flotilla of local fishing boats. Sea conditions improved today, but it is still unknown when naval divers can reach the stricken vessel which lies on the seabed 60 metres below the surface. 

Wexford Civil Defence joined the search today, taking place off Kilmore Quay, following consultation with the Coastguard and Wexford County Council. According to Minister of State Paul Kehoe, volunteers are using specialist drone technology to scour the shoreline over a two-kilometre area.

Under the direction of Wexford’s Civil Defence Officer Peter O’Connor, the volunteers will resume their efforts tomorrow as they operate their drone between Kilmore Quay and Cullenstown. The search is being co-ordinated by An Garda Síochaná, the Coastguard and the Naval Service.