Many drone sweeps of the coastline have taken place in recent days
14:25, 30 Nov 2025Updated 15:14, 30 Nov 2025
Vehicles from crews across Ireland gathered at Kilkee(Image: Clare Civil Defence)
Civil Defence volunteers from across Munster and beyond took part in a mass sweep of the Clare coastline yesterday as part of major search efforts for two missing people.
Gardaí and volunteers from Clare, Cork, Kerry, Laois, Galway and Mayo joined Coast Guard crews on Saturday as they carried out a large-scale operation in the Kilkee area. CorkBeo understands the efforts come as part of searches for two people who went missing in separate incidents by the county’s coastline. The first search was launched weeks ago for Limerick man Eoin Joy – reported missing since Monday, 3rd November – whose car was found in the area of Loop Head in Clare.
CorkBeo understands the operation to find Eoin had been stood down – but efforts to find him are now resuming after the search for 51-year-old Tom Raftery was launched along the Clare coastline 8 days ago. Tom was reported missing from his home in Portarlington, Co. Laois after he was last seen in Portlaoise at 10.15pm on Friday night, 21st November 2025.
Tom is described as being approximately 5 foot 8 inches in height, with grey hair and blue eyes. When last seen, he was wearing a grey fleece gilet, dark long-sleeve t-shirt, blue jeans and grey shoes. Sources say that drone sweeps of the coastline and surrounding waters, as well as land searches, have played a large part in the multi-agency operations over the past number of days due to challenging conditions at sea. Searches continued this morning.
Eoin Joy’s family have also been helping personnel with their large-scale search in West Clare. Earlier this month, the Naval Service Diving Section was also called out along with volunteers from Kilkee Sub Aqua Club for the operation.
The West Cork Civil Defence team taking part in the search
A spokesperson for the Clare Civil Defence group praised volunteers for travelling from across the country to help in yesterday’s operation – saying it showed “the very best of community spirit, cooperation and compassion.”
They added: “A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible volunteers who have travelled and assisted An Garda Síochána Clare with the ongoing missing person search in the Kilkee area today. We are deeply grateful to the Civil Defence Volunteers from Clare, West Cork, Kerry, Laois, Galway and Mayo for their time, dedication and commitment.
“A special mention to Irish Coast Guard volunteers from Kilkee, Doolin, Killaloe and Ballybunion, who have also been heavily involved in the search…. Well done to all involved.”
A Garda spokesperson confirmed: “An Garda Síochána, with the assistance of other emergency services and local search and rescue agencies are conducting an ongoing search operation in West Clare for a man reported missing in November 2025. No further information is available at this time.”
Eoin Joy, 33(Image: Gardaí)
Meanwhile, Gardaí are still appealing for any and all information on both Tom and Eoin’s whereabouts. Eoin is described as being approximately 5 foot 10 inches in height, of medium build with brown hair and blue eyes. When last seen Eoin was wearing a beige fleece, mid blue jeans, and dark trainers with a white stripe.
Anyone with any information about him is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on (061) 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Meanwhile, anyone with any information on Tom’s whereabouts is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.