Family of missing Galway swimmer 'devastated' as they thank community for support

The family of missing Galway swimmer Máire Ní Fhátharta have shared their devastation as they thanked the community of volunteers community for their support.

The operation to locate Máire, who went missing from Galway on Tuesday during her daily swim at Silverstrand Beach, has seen teams search the coastline in Galway Bay.

Máire, a passionate Irish language advocate in her 30s, had been working with Foram Chois Fharraige as an Irish Language Planning Officer since August 2024 but the alarm was raised when she didn't show up for work, GalwayBeo reports.

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Máire’s heartbroken sisters shared they were thankful to the community of volunteers working tirelessly to bring their beloved Máire home.

In a post on social media, a message from Fionnuala and Maighréad Ní Fhátharta was shared, saying: "We would like to thank everyone for continuously showing up to help bring Máire home.

"We are blown away by the volunteers coming out day after day, night after night to search, the donations and kindness we have received. Although we as a family are absolutely devastated, beidh muid buíoch dhaoibh go deo."

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up to aid the search with Maire's friends and family asking for support for volunteers.

The GoFundMe reads: "We are reaching out to you today with heavy hearts, seeking support. This GoFundMe is to aid the search operation that is currently underway for Máire.

“We want to assist the current volunteers that are on the water and on foot by doing as much as we can to help cover costs such as fuel for boats, search equipment, etc. Any excess funds that are received will be donated to voluntary organisations that have been assisting us in this search.

"The current circumstances have shown an overwhelming sense of community and we can’t find the words to begin to thank everyone for their efforts so far. We want to do all we can to help continue the search with the funds raised from this GoFundMe.

“Your kindness and support mean the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for anything you can give. Please share this with your friends and family, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity up to this point.”

The GoFundMe has raised €202,863 of the €200,000 target, to donate head here.

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