Missing Lough Mask angler is veteran and accomplished fisherman

CALMER weather today has allowed for the full resumption of the search for the veteran Lough Mask fisherman who has been missing since Friday last.

The angler has been named locally as Sean Maloney (78) who is very well known in angling and boatman circles.

Mr. Maloney’s boat, which contained his fishing rod and lifejacket, was found on Saturday.

There were no signs, however, of the owner. It is believed he may have fallen overboard in choppy weather conditions.

Gardai have confirmed that Mr. Maloney, a keen angler, went fishing most days during the trout season, and was alone on Friday when he got into difficulties.

The alarm was raised on Friday evening when he failed to return from a long day’s fishing in the Cushlough Bay area of the 22,000 acre waterway.

The alarm was raised on Friday night and the Coastguard, Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI) and gardaí are again involved in today’s search.

Sunday’s search was confined to the shoreline due to adverse weather conditions.

Lough Mask/Corrib Rescue posted the following message on their Facebook page on Sunday: “Looks like weather will be better in the morning to resume the water search and it will be ongoing weather permitting.

“Thanks to everyone who took part over the weekend and for all the messages of support”.

Garda Superintendent Joe Doherty, who visited the search scene over the weekend, said that civilians and other anglers had responded to the callout for search volunteers in large numbers and he thanked them for doing so.

The search parties included members of the missing man’s family.