THE heartbroken loved ones of a woman missing at sea off the coast of Co Galway have vowed to “keep pushing” until they bring her home.
The search for Máire Ní Fhátharta, 32, resumes today after she went missing after going for a swim at Silverstrand near Barna in Galway on November 12, just hours after singer Johnny Duhan was also lost at sea.
The body of Johnny Duhan was recovered from the water a few hours after he was reported missing and he was laid to rest on Friday following his funeral mass at St Killian’s Church, in New Inn, Co Galway.
Máire has now been missing for eight days after she went for her daily swim at Silverstrand Beach last Tuesday.
Searches have been carried out daily for the young woman, with a multi-agency operation led by gardai and involving the Coast Guard Service, Civil Defence teams and the RNLI underway.
Hundreds of volunteers have also taken part in the effort to locate Máire, with daily coastline searches assisted by kayak clubs, paddle boarders and local boat owners.
An online fundraiser set up to help cover the costs of fuel and search equipment has already raised almost €220,000, with the family pledging to donate any excess funds received to voluntary organisations that have been assisting them in the search.
In a post on social media, Máire’s loved ones vowed to keep searching until they bring her home and told how grateful they are for “endless strength and support” from volunteers and those praying she will be found.
It read: “Though the road has been difficult, your unstoppable efforts and dedication have been nothing short of inspiring. We plead that you all keep going for Máire.
“As together, we have proven that even in the toughest of times, we are stronger when we stand together.
“Your generosity, kindness, and determination to help us has made all the difference in our search for Máire.
“It’s in times like these that we truly see the power of community as well as the power of a good person, Máire was such a special person.
“She shared so much of herself with the people she loved. She was caring, hilarious, goofy, wise and driven.”
They told how Máire would be “so proud” to see groups of people out searching as then she could witness the amount of people she “impacted and touched” in her life.
Urging people to continue searching, the group said: “Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
“We want all involved to know we are aware of your commitments to Bring Máire Home.
‘WE SEE YOUR DEDICATION’
“Services, volunteers, sharing posts, lighting candles, praying, helping with food, donations, everyone on foot and everyone out at sea.
“We see your dedication. We will be forever grateful.
“Let’s keep pushing and keep all of these efforts going and we will Bring Máire Home together.”
Speaking on RTE’s News at One, Máire’s sisters Maighréad and Fionnuala said they are not going to give up searching for her until she is found.
Fionnuala said: “Obviously when this happened we were in shock at first but we just had to do everything we could to try and find Máire again. The response we had was absolutely unbelievable.
“It has been the response from the community that completely overwhelmed us. We would not be where we are today, I know we’re still searching, but we have come on and every day we’re learning something new and improving our searches.
“Hopefully we will get a result very very soon.”
She told how it is “completely overwhelming” to see the scores of people volunteering to assist in the search at beach each day.
Fionnuala continued: “I’d say we’ve had up to 600 people in the daytime searches and 300 to 400 people or 250 minimum out there every single night in hard conditions, wet conditions and cold conditions.
“Without the people we wouldn’t be able to keep the hope we have now.”
