The late Damien Donoghue

Body recovered in search for Damien Donoghue

Gardaí have confirmed that a body which was recovered from the River Shannon in Athlone at tea time yesterday is that of Damien Donoghue who had been missing from his home in Mullingar.

Damien (28) had been reported missing to the gardaí in Mullingar on Sunday evening by family members who were concerned for his welfare. An employee of the Bloomfield House Hotel, Damien had been socialising in Mullingar on Saturday evening.

At about 1.30am on Sunday last, Damien took a taxi to Athlone and was dropped off at The Crescent some time after 2.30am. It was the last known sighting of the young man, who was originally from Tyrrellspass but who had been living in Belvedere Hills in Mullingar.

Gardaí in Athlone organised searches in a number of areas of the town early this week and sought the assistance of the public for a major search on Thursday. The Garda Sub Aqua Unit and members of a number of local sub aqua clubs also lent assistance, with a coast guard helicopter being deployed on Thursday afternoon.

According to a garda source, an angler who was searching closer to the shore, located the body not far from the Radisson Blu holiday shortly after 5.30pm. His remains were removed from the water and conveyed to the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore where a post mortem is to be carried out.

News of the discovery of Damien's body was greeted with great sadness across the county. Damien was a popular young man who had made many friends in his young life. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Meanwhile the gardaí have extended their thanks to all who took part in the search for Damien over the past few days.