Anger as thief strikes Mayo rescue team at Galway search site

Members of Mayo's Grainne Uaile Sub-Aqua Club got an unpleasant surprise when they arrived in Galway this morning to continue a search operation.

They discovered that the hitch of one of their three inflatable boats at Galway Sailing Club was stolen, leaving members very disappointed and angry.

A spokesperson for the group: "It's upsetting because it means we are left with one less boat to help in the search."

However, the setback did not deter the volunteers as a replacement hitch was subsequently brought from Ballina today.

The three boats will now be brought to Oranmore Garda Station to store tonight and a team from the unit will be leaving Ballina at 6 a.m. tomorrow to help continue the search for missing 21-year-old Killala man Ryan Moran.