The Clare fire service has confirmed that an extensive search of the River Fergus in Ennis last night was as a result of a hoax call.
Gardaí have launched an investigation into the incident, which involved the Shannon-based Rescue Helicopter and cost several thousand euro.
Shortly after 9:00 last night, emergency services received a call saying that a woman had been seen entering the River Fergus in the Woodquay area of Ennis.
As the Ennis Fire Service was at a separate call-out in another part of the town, the fire service from Shannon was sent to the scene, along with Gardaí and ambulance personnel – local coast guard groups and the Shannon-based rescue helicopter were also dispatched to area.
The search was stood down after just over an hour, after nothing was found, and emergency services say they're now treating this as a hoax.
A senior source has told Clare FM that all calls of this nature have to be taken seriously, but estimates the cost to the local fire service at between €3,000 and €4,000. Other groups in attendance would also have incurred their own costs.
Gardaí have been notified, and have begun an investigation. They're asking anyone with information to come forward.
On the night of November 13th last year, the fire service, local coastguard crews, the Shannon-based helicopter and Gardaí were all involved in a similar large-scale search of the river which was also deemed to be as a result of a hoax.
