Father missing in Mayo is laid to rest

Father missing in Mayo is laid to rest

4 January 2023

THE funeral has taken place of Downpatrick man Darryl Wade who was reported missing before Christmas.

Teams searching for Mr Wade discovered his body in the water in the Mayo town of Westport on Tuesday, December 20.

Gardai and others — including a search team from Northern Ireland — were trying to find 31-year-old when they discovered his body.

A full scale search for Mr Wade was launched in Westport after it was confirmed that he was last seen in the town in the early hours of Saturday, December 10, two days after he was reported to have left Downpatrick.

He was seen leaving a property in the Cluain Padraig/Quay Road area of Westport in the early hours.

The father-of-one’s funeral service took place on Christmas Eve at St Patrick’s Church in the town after which he was interred at Struell cemetery.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu of flowers to be sent to the Bangor-based K9 Search and Rescue NI which had joined the search for the missing father of one.

In a statement, the organisation said its members were assisted by colleagues from DWMRT Search Dogs and worked closely with Garda.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath said: “This is the worst possible news that a family can receive so close to Christmas. My thoughts are with his family and friends at what will be an incredibly difficult time.”