GARDA DIVERS, CLARE Civil Defence and the Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat have joined the search for a woman reported missing at the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare last night.

The Kilkee unit of the Irish Coast Guard has also been dispatched to the incident as the local Doolin unit was stood down on Monday following six shock resignations. The Doolin volunteer team was taken ‘off the board’ which means that they will not be tasked to any incidents.

The Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter carried out a search of the area last night after the alarm was raised. It’s understood that some personal items were found on a pathway at the cliffs. After examining those items, Gardaí commenced a search for a woman believed to be in her late 20s.

Rescue 115 undertook a search a further search of the area this morning while divers from the Garda Water Unit travelled to Clare to assist in the operation. The Aran Islands RNLI all-weather lifeboat was dispatched from Kilronan on Inis Mór and has been searching the coast from Aill Na Searrach south to Hags Head.

Clare Civil Defence’s UAV (drone) team is also assisting in the search which is being coordinated by An Garda Síochána and watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry.

This is the first callout to the area usually covered by the Doolin unit of the Coast Guard.

Confirming that the Doolin team had been stood down and wouldn’t be tasked to any water or land based emergencies, an Irish Coast Guard spokesperson said: “In the interim Coast Guard is liaising with other SAR stakeholders in the area in order to provide cover for services that otherwise would be provided by the Doolin unit.”

It’s understood that these stakeholders include the Kilkee Coast Guard unit; Kilrush RNLI in-shore lifeboat; the Aran Islands RNLI all-weather lifeboat; Clare County Fire and Rescue Service; Clare Civil Defence as well as cave and mountain rescue organisations.

It has also emerged that a team of volunteers from the Ballybunion unit of the Coast Guard in Kerry will be made available to respond to calls in the Doolin area if required. The journey by road is over 150 kilometres and would take over two hours so it’s understood volunteers and their equipment will be flown by helicopter the Doolin if needed.