Tánaiste Simon Coveney reveals the Irish government is offering support in the search for Irish explorer Seamus Lawless who fell from Everest on Thursday.
The Irish government has been in contact with the family of missing Irishman Seamus “Shay” Lawless as attempts to find the Trinity professor continue.
The 39-year-old Wicklow man fell from Mount Everest last Thursday just hours after reaching its summit. With his whereabouts still unknown, his pregnant wife has been forced to open up a GoFundMe page to raise the funds needed to continue with the search.
The page has already raised over $250k in donations as the Irish government also offers their support.
“I have spoken to Pamela his wife on a number of occasions over the last 24 hours,” Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Coveney told RTÉ on Sunday.
“She is a remarkable woman and she is going through a nightmare that many of us simply can’t imagine.”
Seamus Lawless. Image: GoFundMe
He added: “We are willing to offer any support we can, either financial or organizational, she knows that.”
The family began the donations page after Lawless’ insurance provider revealed it would not provide funding for th search.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart that the Lawless family have had to set up this GoFundMe page to ask for donations,” the GoFundMe page reads.
“The insurance company that had provided a policy for Séamus (Shay) are currently not providing assistance with the search and rescue. Shay achieved his lifelong dream on the morning of Thursday 16th May when he reached the peak of Mount Everest. Tragically, on his descent, Shay fell and has been missing since.
“With the weekend upon us, we, the family of Shay, have been left with no other option but to ask for assistance in raising funds to gather a team of expert Sherpas to locate and bring our beloved Shay home to Ireland. Time is of the essence in the search mission and the costs of running this mission are substantial.
Seamus Lawless. Image: GoFundMe
“Shay Lawless is 39 from Bray, Co Wicklow. He set out on this incredible journey to summit Mount Everest not only to challenge himself but to raise vital funds on behalf of Barretstown, a charity that provides respite and recreation to children with serious illnesses.
“At this moment in time we have little to no information about what happened on Thursday 16th May, nor do we know the current location of Shay. It is our priority to locate him and bring him home and we appreciate all the support that can be offered as we face this hugely challenging situation.”
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