Gardaí have confirmed that a body has been found during the search for a missing walker in the Comeragh Mountains in Co Waterford.
The scene has been preserved.
A multi-agency search had been taking place all day for the woman who had been missing since yesterday afternoon.
The alarm was raised after phone contact was lost with the 37-year-old who was a mountain runner and experienced hill walker.
It is understood the Co Tipperary woman set off walking on her own yesterday.
She was in contact a number of times by phone with her family, but had not been heard from since yesterday afternoon.
Volunteers from the South East Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) had been involved in the search, as well as the R117 coastguard helicopter based in Waterford Airport.
SEMRA, @sardaIreland @R117Waterford & @GardaTraffic currently involved in operation to locate female walker missing in Comeragh mountains since yesterday. We ask walkers in Nire Valley, Rathgormack or Mahon Falls to keep an eye out for anything unusual & to contact Gardai or us. pic.twitter.com/WGqRJtnLWj
— SE Mountain Rescue (@SE_Mount_Rescue) April 19, 2021
Up to 30 volunteers from SEMRA were involved in the search, as well as Kerry Mountain Rescue and the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue.
Rescue 117 above the Comeragh Mountains as the search for a 37-year-old woman missing since yesterday afternoon continues. Mountain rescue volunteers, civil defence also searching, operation being led by Gardaí pic.twitter.com/wVWS3ZIryk
— Conor Kane (@ConorKane0909) April 19, 2021
Civil Defence volunteers were also involved in the search, which took place in a wide area, including the area around Coumshingaugh Lake, Kilclooney Woods, towards Mahon Falls and back to the Nire Valley.
Members of the Search and Rescue Dog Association were also involved.
Weather conditions were dry and calm earlier in the day, but low-lying cloud caused problems since the search began yesterday afternoon and continued this evening.
The search began when family members of the 37-year-old woman became concerned about her safety yesterday after not hearing from her for some time.
She had previously been in touch by phone.
The woman was described as an experienced hill walker and runner, and had set off in the Comeragh Mountains yesterday.
Gardaí say investigations are continuing.
