EXPERIENCED boat users are required to help with a major search operation planned on Lough Erne this weekend in a bid to recover missing Emyvale man Kieran McAree.

Beginning at 8.30am tomorrow (Saturday) at the Round O, the search will cover a large swathe of Lough Erne beyond Devenish Island.

Gerard Butterly from Dundalk Sub Aqua Search and Rescue and Keith O'Donnell from Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery Service are co-ordinating this search. They want to have the teams ready before they meet tomorrow morning.

Anyone interested in helping out is asked to register with Gerard or Kieth as soon as possible (numbers below). This is to facilitate planning so that they will know what resources are at his disposal and all are asked to cooperate with this request.

If Kieran is not recovered tomorrow, the team will continue on Sunday.

“The issue is that, up until now, there was an awful lot of good work done but we now want to cover a large area in a short space of time,” Gerard tells Impartial Reporter.com.

The diving teams have been in place since the beginning and are in place for tomorrow also. There have been a number of experienced boaters on fishing boats and kayaks helping with the search. In advance of tomorrow, a number of new boaters that Gerard and Keith are pleased with have offered to help.

“Safety is key,” Gerard stresses. “To date, some people have been coming forward with the best intentions in the world but we wouldn't be happy with the condition of their boat or with their experience on the water. The last thing we want is for another incident to take place on the water that would detract from the search for Kieran.” With that in mind, anyone who is “experienced, has a sea-worthy boat, a life jacket and proper outdoor gear,” can contact Gerard or Keith today.

“We want people who know what they are at because they respect the water,” Gerard states. “That way, it will be easier for us to put them into teams and we can cover a larger area in a short space of time.” Kieran McAree has not been seen since December 17.

His parents Martin and Geraldine McAree have vowed not to go home without their son. They have praised the efforts of the Enniskillen community who have come out in force to help, in whatever way they can, in the heart-rending search.

Tomorrow (Saturday) will mark 31 days since Kieran was reported missing. His parents believe that Kieran, who suffered from mental health problems for over two years, entered the water near Enniskillen Castle in the early hours of December 17 and is now dead.

When Kieran went missing four weeks ago he was wearing a green hoodie, blue trousers and glasses. Anyone who finds items of Kieran's clothing as listed is asked not to touch or move them. Instead, phone PSNI on 101.

To take part in tomorrow’s search contact Gerard Butterly on 00353 87 8206452 or Keith O'Donnell on 07828511887.