LAST UPDATE | 4 Jul

THE BODY OF a fisherman in his late 50s has been recovered off the coast of Co Galway.

Both of Clifden RNLI’s all-weather and inshore lifeboats were requested to launch at 10.30pm last night to search for a missing person.

Gardaí in Letterfrack and the Irish Coast Guard also assisted in the search and recovery operation. 

The man’s body was recovered from the water in the early hours of this morning near Inishbofin. 

“Working with the Irish Coast helicopter Rescue 118, the lifeboat crew assisted in bringing the fisherman back to Clifden,” a spokesperson for the RNLI said.

“Clifden RNLI would like to extend their sincere sympathies to the family and loved ones of a fisherman who died off Inishbofin.”

Meanwhile, the Irish Coast Guard said it was notified at 10.15pm last night that a fisherman was overdue and presumed missing off Inishbofin. 

In a statement, it said the Coast Guard at Malin Head initiated a search in the area with Coast Guard helicopter R118 on scene and both Lifeboats from Clifden RNLI.

“Just before midnight, R118 confirmed that the body of the fisherman was located by local members of the community on the northern shore of the island,” said the statement.

“The Coast Guard extends its condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.”

The man’s body has since been removed to the mortuary in University Hospital Galway, where a post mortem will take place in due course.

It has been reported that the fisherman’s boat was found overturned near where the man’s body was recovered. 

A file will also be prepared for the Coroner’s Court.