Tourists rescued in Lough Ree search operation

Three German tourists were rescued on Lough Ree last night after their cruiser ran aground close to Barley Harbour.

A search and rescue operation was mounted after the alarm was raised at 8pm and two men were rescued from the vessel, which was stranded near Priests Island.

A third man, who had departed in a dinghy in an attempt seek help, was found on another island shortly after midnight when his shouts were heard from the shoreline at nearby Portrunny in Co Roscommon.

The RNLI, Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club, Gardaí and a Coast Guard helicopter were all involved in the search.

Weather conditions at the time were described as severe, with a force six wind blowing across the lake for most of the day. Damien Delaney, Operations Manager for the Lough Ree lifeboat, said the three men were very lucky: “Thankfully, there was a good co-ordinated response and a good turnout of people which resulted in a positive outcome. As time went on and it got darker and darker we were very concerned for the third man, so it was great that he was brought ashore.”