Source: Garda Press

Updated at 8pm

TEAMS SEARCHING FOR a Japanese couple missing in Co Clare for over a week have located a body.

A diver taking part in the search made the discovery this afternoon, the Irish Coast Guard confirmed.

The body was taken ashore and has not yet been formally identified.

A multi-agency search for the pair was launched after Eiji Takagi (63) and Ushio Azaki (61) failed to return to their car.

The couple checked out of their hotel in Spanish Point last Saturday morning and their hired car was later found parked in George’s Head car park in Kilkee – a popular cliff walking spot.

The body was found in waters off George’s Head this afternoon by a member of a local dive group.

George's Head Source: Alan Soutar, by permission

Ongoing searches

Coast Guard crews from Kilkee, Ballybunion and Doolin continued the search this afternoon, along with gardaí and local volunteer dive teams.

The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter also participated.

“The Coast Guard are appealing to members of the public to avoid the local area from George’s Head to Chimney Bay area, where experienced searchers will be operating,” a statement released ahead of the weekend search effort said.

“This is an exposed and unsafe area.”

The couple were due to fly from Shannon via Heathrow Airport for an onward connection to Tokyo on Monday but they failed to show up for their flight.

It’s believed their car was parked at George’s Head at around 9pm last Saturday night.