As the search for the body of a missing Irish surfer continues, his family has issued a statement thanking people in Ireland and Australia for their support.
Stuart Butler (20) has been missing off the east coast of Australia since last Saturday, and local police have said the search is now a "body recovery operation".
“We’d like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you on behalf of Stuart’s family both here and back in Ireland for the support we have received from the local community,” a Butler family spokesperson said.
The statement also thanked the police, a surf life saving club, a volunteer rescue association and the Australian Maritime Search Authority.
“We appreciate all of the efforts made to help find Stuart … We are full of hope that he will be returned to us and ask all to keep him in their thoughts and prayers,” the statement said.
The spokesperson also thanked local organisations Mojosurf and the Arts Factory “for their continued support, and their efforts to make us comfortable, during this difficult time”.
Mr Butler went missing in very difficult conditions while surfing with two friends off Cape Byron in northern New South Wales. His companions, American Levi Fahrenholtz (25) and English man Mike Fuller (19), were both rescued.
The search for Mr Butler began at first light this morning and continued until darkness fell.
“The man is listed as a missing person and we will continue to search for him,” Sgt Jack Keough of Tweed/Byron police told the local Northern Star newspaper.
“However, this is now a body recovery operation.”
Sgt Keough said Mr Butler’s brother in Ireland is being updated with the most recent search results.
Though conditions had been expected to ease today, it was still too dangerous for the police diving unit to search for Mr Butler. It is hoped they will be able to join the search later in the week.
The Irish embassy in Canberra is offering consular assistance to Mr Butler’s family.