Gardaí stand down mountain search for hiker as rucksack found on Kerry beach

Gardaí have halted the mountain search for missing Sebastian Jaworski following the discovery of a rucksack on a beach in Kerry.

Officers have confirmed the operation on Mount Brandon has been stood down and Gardaí have now redirected search efforts following the discovery of personal property on the coastline. The item found is believed to be a rucksack belonging to Sebastian and was located across the bay from Mount Brandon on Banna Beach.

Gardaí have confirmed they are now combing the Brandon Point area of the Dingle Peninsula with the help of the Coast Guard and other agencies for any trace of the missing hiker.

Sebastian has now been missing for nine days after he was last spotted near the summit of Mount Brandon on Sunday afternoon, 23 June. The Mount Brandon search was spearheaded by members of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, who received assistance from the Search and Rescue Dog Association, Dingle Coast Guard and Coast Guard Heli R115.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Following the discovery of personal property on Banna beach, the search operation for a missing male hiker in his 40s is now being concentrated along the coastline and the search on Mount Brandon has, at this time, been stood down.

“An Garda Síochána continues to search with assistance from other agencies, including the Coast Guard, along the coast of the Brandon Point area of the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry. No further information is available.”