A LARGE scale search operation on the River Barrow came to a tragic conclusion in the early hours of yesterday (Monday) morning after the body of a 39 year-old man was plucked from the water.

The man, believed to be from the Ballywilliam area, was spotted entering the River from O’Hanrahan Bridge at around 7 p.m. on Sunday night. Gardaí were notified immediately and they subsequently contacted the Coast Guard, River Rescue, Fire Brigade and Fethard RNLI to assist.

A major search operation ensued and the Rescue 117 helicopter was also called to the scene in a bid to locate the man. The search proved unsuccessful as darkness approached and the tough decision to stand down until morning was taken.

At first light, emergency services were once again out on the river and patrolling the river banks in a bid to find the man and at 5.35 a.m. on Monday morning, the tragic discovery of his body was made. Gardaí are not treating the incident as suspicious

For more, see this week’s Echo.

Member of the Coast Guard on watch on O’Hanrahan Bridge in New Ross after a young man fell into the river. Pic: Jim Campbell