The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is providing consular assistance to the family of a Co Cavan man who went missing of the coast of Maine, in the northeastern United States last week.
Thomas Clarke (32), from Kilnaleck, was swept out to sea near Monhegan Island on Friday by giant waves caused by Hurricane Katia.
The US coastguard called off the search for Mr Clarke at 8pm on Saturday following a search spanning nearly 200 square miles of coast line.
The Maine Marine Patrol and Monhegan Island Volunteer Fire Department, was assisted in the search by several “good Samaritans” the coastguard said. The marine patrol had a fixed wing aircraft and two boats assisting in the search Saturday.
“The support we received by the community, in particular the Maine Marine patrol, during the search effort was tremendous,” Brian Gilda, the deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector, Northern New England said. "Unfortunately, this assistance did not achieve the outcome everyone had hoped for.”
Mr Clarke had been sightseeing at caves on the island when a wave swept him out to sea. Four of his friends jumped in to rescue him, but lost sight of him. The four were stranded on rocks until low tide when three of them were able to climb to safety. One woman needed to be airlifted by a Coast Guard helicopter crew.
