A BODY has been discovered in the search for missing swimmer Máire Ní Fhátharta.
Rescue crews searching for the 32-year-old found a body on the shoreline a couple of hundred metres away from where she went missing 10 days ago.
The body has yet to be formally identified and has been transferred to hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The search for the Spiddal woman was one of the largest undertaken in the area and was just about to be stood down ahead of a Status Red weather alert when the body was discovered.
She went missing after going for a swim at Silverstrand near Barna in Galway on November 12.
The body of another swimmer, 74-year old songwriter Johnny Duhan, was found in the water at Rusheen Bay a few hours after he was reported missing after going for his daily swim at Silverstrand on the same morning.
Gardai this afternoon confirmed a body had been found after the multi-agency search.
A spokesperson said: “Gardaí – with the assistance of our colleagues in the Irish Coastguard, RNLI, Civil Defence and a number of local and national search units, along with hundreds of volunteers – have continued to search for a female swimmer missing from Silver Strand since 12th November, 2024.
“This afternoon, Friday 22nd November 2024, a body was recovered near Rusheen Bay, Co. Galway.
“The body has been transferred to the morgue at University Hospital Galway, where a post-mortem examination is due to take place.
“The search has for now been stood down, however formal identification has yet to occur and this process remains ongoing.
“An Garda Síochána continues to provide our support to the loved ones of the missing woman and a Family Liaison Officer has been appointed.
“An Garda Síochána would like to thank the local community in Galway, volunteer organisations, and search & recovery services for their care and assistance over the past 11 days.”
Máire’s heartbroken loved ones had vowed to “keep pushing” with the search until they brought her home.
More to follow.
