The family of a man missing from Waterford are reportedly very upset by the vandalism of a boat involved in the search for him.

50 year old Lenny O’Neill from Ashley Court, was last seen at a quarter to 12 at the Exchange Bar in Ballybricken on Monday night.

It’s believed Mr O’Neill may have fallen into the River Suir while trying to access his boat on the marina.

Emergency services including the Garda Diving Unit have been joined by volunteer agencies in the search for Mr O’Neill along the River Suir.

However, the civil defence boat was vandalised over the Easter Weekend.

Secretary of Waterford City River Rescue Bill McConnell, which is one of the agencies involved in the search, described the incident as “despicable”:

“This is a despicable crime really, I mean they didn’t try and steal anything they just disabled the boat.

“It’s just a terrible thing for anyone to do, I think”.

The boat has been repaired and is operational again.

picture courtesy of waterford river rescue facebook page