Body found in Virginia

A body found in Virginia this afternoon is believed to be that of missing teenager Ricky McDermott of Crossakiel.
A body has been found in the Blackwater River in Virginia, but no formal indentification has yet taken place.
Ricky McDermott's devastated family had earlier today appealed for any information which would help locate him.
His heartbroken father, Richie, had called for help in tracing the popular young footballer, who had been missing since the early hours of Sunday morning and he had made a  heartfelt plea directly to Ricky to come home or for anyone who knew where he was, to contact his family or the gardai.
A massive search had been taking place in the Virginia and Oldcastle area led by Kells and Baileboro gardai and involving hundreds of volunteers from the local community, including his local football club, BMC Utd, as well as Meath and Cavan Civil Defence.
Teams of volunteers had searched the road between Virginia and Oldcastle.
Ricky, a 17 year-old fifth year student in St Oliver’s Community College, was a son of Richie and Ita McDermott of Clonabreany, Crossakiel.
His parents and the entire family including his sister, Sarah (19) and brother James (10) were extremely worried at his disappearance.

 

Update from the Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery Service - Tuesday night

The service travelled to Virginia, Co Cavan on Tuesday to assist in the search for a missing teenager. Gardaí had appealed for information in relation to the whereabouts of 17 year old Ricky McDermott, who had not been seen since the early hours of Monday morning.

The Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery Service sent its underwater search team and boat handling crew to the County Cavan town. The underwater search team commenced diving in the afternoon and shortly after 5pm they recovered a body from the River Blackwater. The body has been taken to hospital for formal identification.

Seventeen-year-old Ricky McDermott from Clonabreany, Crossakiel, Oldcastle, Co Meath, was reported missing after a night out in Virginia on Easter Sunday. He was last seen on Church Street in the town around 12.30am. in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday.

Earlier on the day his father made an emotional plea for information on his missing son. Speaking on Northern Sound Radio, Richie McDermott said “Of the last 24 hours it was a complete nightmare, you don’t know what to say or think”.

Gardaí in Virginia were searching the area and investigating CCTV for any clues as to the teenagers  whereabouts. Yesterday morning around 150 people were out in the Oldcastle area searching along the roads for the missing man.

Local Gardaí, The Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery Service, Civil Defence Meath River Rescue and local volunteers turned up to take part in the search.

Members of the Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery Service wish to extend their sympathy to Ricky McDermott’s family and friends.