THE SEARCH FOR two fishermen missing off the Dublin coast since Friday has resumed today, with four coastguard units involved in the search.

The Irish Naval Service, the Coast Guard, gardaí, and RNLI lifeboat crews were joined by fishing boats and pleasure crafts at first light in the search for the missing men, Newstalk reports.

Ronan Browne, 26, and David Gilsenen, 41, failed to return to harbour on Friday after a lobster fishing trip – both were experienced seamen and qualified marine engineers. Their vessel was recovered by search crews on Saturday.

Both men were married, and Gilsenen is understood to have two children aged six and nine, reports the Irish Times.

Twenty-six year old Browne was previously in a coma for several months following a car crash, reports the Irish Daily Mirror. A friend told the newspaper that Browne had been unconscious for six months a number of years ago after being involved in a traffic accident and his family had feared he would not wake up. However, he made a full recovery.

While the search had to be called off last night due to poor weather conditions, it is hoped that the weather will be better today.