The mum of a Co Fermanagh man who has gone missing on Lough Erne has thanked the local community for its efforts in attempting to locate him.
The search for Michael McGirr remained ongoing on Wednesday, although caution was urged due to the adverse weather conditions on Lough Erne during the day.
Michael was last seen in Enniskillen last Saturday, and believed to be heading towards Inish Davar island on a fishing boat. The boat he was travelling on has now been located but Michael remains missing.
READ MORE: Community effort ongoing to find missing Co Fermanagh man
A social media group set up to help coordinate the search for Michael now has over 1,600 members, and his mum Bernie included a message to thank those who had taken to the Lough to search for him.
“Thank you to everyone that has been helping, every single second you’re out there counts,” she wrote.
“We want to get Michael, my lovely, kind, generous, thoughtful, fun loving, gorgeous affectionate, adventurous, life loving son home.
“Please, the more people out the better chance of finding him.
“If you have spare time and energy it would be much appreciated if you could walk along the shoreline anywhere between Trory and Castlearchdale on the east side and Quarry point to Duff Point on the west side.
“Also jetties along the Boa Island Road. It doesn’t matter if the same ground is covered many times, what isn’t visible one minute might be visible the next.”
Anyone who wants to contribute to the search for Michael can make their way to the Lough Erne Yacht Club, where the search is being coordinated.
The RNLI have confirmed that the 19ft Sheelin boat Michael was travelling in was located on Sunday.
A statement from the local RNLI said: "Enniskillen RNLI was requested to launch their inshore lifeboat to search for a missing person on Lower Lough Erne at 8.15pm on Saturday night. Carrybridge RNLI was also requested to assist.
"The multi-agency operation also involved the PSNI and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118 from Sligo. A search took place throughout the night and the next day, and on Sunday, a boat was located."
READ NEXT:
Proposals for 66 new homes on Irvinestown Road in Enniskillen
Halloween fireworks cancelled in Enniskillen and Omagh as council faces financial pressures
Enniskillen car park reopens as first phase of work finished
Fermanagh and Omagh Fireworks cancellation branded an ‘insult’ to businesses and residents
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. T o sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
