Clare residents have been urged not to be deterred in reporting what may be a potential emergency, even though a large search on the Shannon Estuary was deemed a false alarm.
Eyewitness in Cappa, Kilrush and near Shannon Town reported spotting what they believed to be either a flare or a small aircraft in trouble off the county coast at around midday.
This sparked a three-hour operation by rescue units from Kilrush, Kilkee and Mallow, as well as the Shannon Coast Guard Helicopter. Its believed the object was actually a meteorite.
Pauline Dunleavy of Kilrush RNLI says people should still call authorities if they see anything suspicious.
