The scene of the search and rescue at Curracloe Beach in Co. Wexford this evening which proved to be a false alarm. (Pic: Paul Furey/TheJournal.ie reader)

A TWO HOUR search and rescue for a swimmer in difficulty in Co. Wexford this evening has been called off after no one was spotted in the water and no one was reported missing.

The search began after someone on Curracloe Beach spotted a swimmer in difficulty just after 5 o’clock this evening.

The beach-goer contacted the Coast Guard and the RNLI and a joint search and rescue mission began at around 5.22pm.

Two RNLI boats, one Coast Guard helicopter along with a number of local boats and fishing vessels assisted, but the mission was stepped down an hour and 45 minutes later when no one was sighted in the water and no person was reported missing.

A spokesperson for the Coast Guard told TheJournal.ie that “there is every possibility that the swimmer may have swam more north or south and got out at a different area”.

Dave Maloney of Rosslare Harbour RNLI congratulated the member of the public who raised the alarm.

“We would always encourage the public to alert the emergency services if they see anyone they believe to be in trouble or any signs of danger,” he said.

Onlookers watch the scene of the search and rescue at Curracloe Beach in Co. Wexford earlier. (Pic: Paul Furey/TheJournal.ie reader)

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