Gardaí in Limerick are investigating a suspected hoax 999 call, which sparked a major rescue operation on the River Shannon yesterday, writes David Raleigh.

The call was made by a male from a mobile phone around 2.40pm.

The caller told an emergency service dispatcher there was “a person in the water at the Treaty Stone” in Limerick.

The caller also said they saw a man jumping from Thomond Bridge into the water.

Members of the Limerick Marine Search and Rescue Service (LMSRS), HSE paramedics, as well as three units attached to Limerick City and County Fire Service, and Gardaí responded to the call.

The Shannon-based Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter (R115) was also alerted to the river to help in the search operation.

Specially trained swift water rescue crews attached to the fire service, along with the service’s boat Fireswift, helped divers from LMSRS comb the river.

“Emergency Services searched for approximately 30 minutes,” said a source.

Attempts to reach the person who phoned in the alert were unsuccessful.

It is understood a message had been setup on the callers voicemail abusing Gardaí.

The search and rescue operation has been stood down and Gardaí are investigating the incident.