Heaven and earth moved in search for Limerick man

A GARDA inspector described the search for John Michael McSweeney by so many volunteers and organisations as “the most outstanding community effort I have ever seen”.

Mr McSweeney will be laid to rest this Wednesday in Calvary Cemetery, Newcastle West following 11am Mass in St Mary's Church, Carrickerry thanks to the efforts of so many.

The 73-year-old Athea man was found to be missing on Saturday afternoon, January 6. A search near his home, led by

Inspector Gearoid Thompson, commenced that would end up taking eight days in freezing conditions and involve over 1,000 people covering miles of forestry, bogland and rough ground.

The arduous task was made slightly easier by the dry weather. When Mr McSweeney was found on Sunday afternoon it began to drizzle with many remarking the religious man had kept the rain away for those looking for him until he was located and returned to his loving family.

“It was very poignant,” said Insp Thompson.

The gardai were backed up by the Coastguard, Civil Defence, Abbeyfeale District Search and Rescue, Search and Rescue Dog Association and members of the public.

Insp Thompson said no stone was left unturned. Each day had to be managed with Insp Thompson dividing volunteers - up to 300 on certain days - into groups of varying sizes tasked with searching certain areas.

“You had to be conscious of their safety as the terrain was challenging. Each search lasted about two hours, get them fed and watered, send them out again in different areas and make sure everybody was clear on what they were doing. They combed the area, so much so that when one person lost their phone it was later found. It was unbelievable what they did, ” said Inps Thompson.

There was constant communication with Superintendent Ollie Kennedy, who led a team of detectives and gardai interviewing witnesses regarding potential sightings, carrying out door to door enquiries and harvesting CCTV.

Insp Thompson said there were over 100 to 200 volunteers every day and over 300 on some.

“It was astonishing the amount of people - it just goes to show you the community spirit in rural Ireland and the standing of the McSweeney family.

Limerick revealed as coldest spot in Ireland as weather station records -6°C overnight

The Abbeyfeale weather station is the coldest in the nation

“John Michael’s nephews play with Gerald Griffins GAA Club and Glin Rovers FC. Every adjoining GAA, soccer club, fishing club, you name it, sent money and volunteers in their droves. A number of local councillors lent their assistance.

“People dropped up sandwiches, food - over 1,000 people must have been fed in the McSweeneys’ kitchen. Local clubs and people donated money to a catering fund and people dropped in money to local shops to pay for food. Everybody’s contribution was valued and recognised and I think it contributed greatly to the success of this emotive operation.

“It was the most outstanding community effort I have ever seen,” said Insp Thompson, who wished to publicly thank, on behalf of An Garda Siochana, everybody who played a part in helping to locate Mr McSweeney.

The McSweeney family are also exceptionally grateful for the level of support and help and in a touching gesture asked for family flowers only with donations in lieu to Abbeyfeale District Search and Rescue in Mr McSweeney’s death notice.

May he rest in peace.