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A sea and cliff rescue operation was launched in “atrocious” conditions for a man who was actually sitting in a pub having a pint.

Valentia Coast Guard in Kerry were contacted by Gardai for assistance on Monday night after a man was reported missing by a taxi driver in Ballybunion.

But the intensive search came to an abrupt end when it was discovered the man in question was sitting in local watering-hole the Railway Bar.

A staff-member told the Irish Mirror: “In Ballybunion there wouldn’t be that many strangers around at this time of year.

(Image: Google maps)

“So I think he stood out to the taxi driver. He was asking for directions to the cliffs, which was unusual because it was dark out and the weather was really bad.

“The taxi driver was a bit concerned and he contacted the guards, not realising he was in here having a pint.

“The guards came in and spoke to him to make sure he was alright, and that was all. He was gone within the hour.”

The man, in his 40’s, had been dropped to Ballybunion by the taxi driver, who grew concerned about him after dropping him off.

He contacted the Gardai, who alerted the Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue Team.

Posting on their Facebook page, the team wrote: “The man in question enquired as to how to get to the cliffs, and given that it was dark and the weather was bad at the time, rang alarm bells for the taxi driver who decided to report it.”

A search then commenced around the cliffs and the strand for the man at about 7.30pm.

Just over an hour later the search was ended when the man was found safe and sound inside the bar.

Ballybunion Search and Rescue said: “A search of the cliffs including the Nuns Strand and the Ladies Strand got under way under atrocious weather conditions.

“Ballybunion Fire & Rescue also assisted with lighting and the Shannon based helicopter Rescue 115 was also tasked to light up the area and assist in searching the extremely rough sea.

“At 20:40 all units were stood down when the man was found safe and well in a pub in the town oblivious to what was happening as a result of his remark to the taxi driver.

“The taxi driver had become concerned and made the right decision to make the call as he felt the man’s line of conversation warranted some form of professional intervention and we commend him for his actions. The call was recorded as a false alarm with good intent.”

The taxi driver has been praised online for his vigilance and concern in reporting the matter.

It was the first call out of the new year for the Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue team.