Body of man, 70s, who entered sea in Co Donegal recovered off Scotland coast

An Garda Síochána has withdrawn its appeal for information about a man who was seen entering the sea at Lagacurry Beach, Isle of Doagh, Clonmany, Co Donegal on Saturday, October 5.

"Following the formal identification of a body of a male discovered off the coast of Scotland on October 24, 2024, our appeal regarding this incident has now been withdrawn," An Garda Síochána said in a statement today, Ocotber 31.

Gardaí have not released the name of the man.

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In their initial appeal issued on October 9, An Garda Síochána described the man who was seen entering the sea at Clonmany, Co Donegal as in his early 70s who was about 6ft 2in tall, and wearing a bottle green heavy jumper, blue collared shirt, navy cords, and black boots.

At the time, Gardaí investigating the report said they were aware of a report of a missing male in Donegal matching the description. 

Gardaí said the appeal was being carried out in conjunction with the man's family on the presumption that this man is missing, presumed deceased.

Searches were conducted along the coast by Coast Guard Units from both Greencastle and Mulroy, MRCC Coast Guard Malin Head, Rescue 118 Sligo Based Helicopter, RNLI, and An Garda Síochána.

An Garda Síochána said in their initial appeal that they were particularly reaching out to fishermen working in the area, landowners with coastal shoreline, and any persons engaged in any activity in this coastal area to be aware of this investigation and report any information.

"This is an appeal for information and it is not a call for members of the public to begin searching for this man," An Garda Síochána said in their October 9 appeal.

Gardaí advised members of the public engaged in activities along the coastline or in the water to be aware of potential adverse weather conditions and take appropriate caution when partaking in these activities.

A similarly tragic incident occurred in August 2023 when, following the recovery of a body at the port of Cairnryan, Scotland on July 1, 2023 and confirmed DNA analysis by Police Scotland, the missing person appeal for Co Donegal man Daniel McLaughlin, 74 years, was stood down.