The body of one of two Japanese tourists who went missing in Co Clare earlier this week has been found in Kilkee Bay.
Valentia Coastguard confirmed members of the Burren Sub Aqua club found a body while searching an area of the coast around the George’s Head peninsula.
The body has since been brought ashore, and it is understood the body is that of a male.
Searchers are continuing their efforts to find the second missing person.
However, diving was suspended at 5.30 on Sunday evening, with no sign of a second body.
Diving will resume on Monday morning, with naval divers due to join the search.
Concerns were raised when a rental car hired out by Japanese citizens Mr Eiji Takagi (63) and Ms Ushio Azaki (61) was found unoccupied on George’s Head near where the body was recovered.
Mr Takagi is understood to hold dual American and Japanese nationality.
The pair travelled to Ireland from Tokyo on August 18th and had been staying at a hotel in Spanish Point on the west Clare coast.
The exact identity of the person who was found has not yet been disclosed.
Search operation
A major search operation involving Coast Guard crews from Valentia, Clare Civil Defence, local volunteers and members of Limerick Marine Search Rescue has been ongoing for much of the last week.
A Coast Guard spokesman said cadaver dogs have also been utilised in the effort.
George’s Head is a geographical point of interest often visited by tourists due to its scenic location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.