GAA stars' cousin missing after being swept away by river

Members of the Civil defines search the River Nore in Thomastown Co. Kilkenn

By Sam Griffin

A YOUNG man is missing after falling into the River Nore and being swept away.

Search teams have been scouring the waterway for Derek Tyrell (33) from Loughboy in Kilkenny City after he fell into the Nore in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He had been out with friends near the Canice's Mill area of Thomastown in Co Kilkenny when the incident occurred.

Mr Tyrell, an electrician, is a first cousin of multiple All-Ireland winning hurlers Tommy Walsh and Jackie Tyrrell.

Sources last night said friends of Mr Tyrrell frantically called the emergency services when they discovered he had entered the water and may have tried to rescue him.

However, the river was said to be flooded and the current was too strong and he was swept away away before they could get to him.

The alarm was raised around 1.30am at which point gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene.

The garda water unit, garda air support, Kilkenny sub aqua club, Civil Defence, New Ross river rescue and the local gardai in Thomastown all took part in the massive search.

The coastguard helicopter was also on stand-by, but was not dispatched to the scene.

The search was stood down at 7am on Sunday morning and resumed again at around 9am.

However, it was stopped again last night and will now resume today.

"The search was stood down due to weather conditions and they will resume this morning," a garda spokesperson said.

OUTCOME

Local Fianna Fail Cllr Peter Cleere said the community would pull together to help the family.

"There's a lot of shock here following the incident.

"We are all just hoping for the best possible outcome and our thoughts are with his family at this tough time," he said.

Mr Tyrell's family last night said they would not be commenting on the search.

hnews@herald.ie