A Ballintrillick family were "overjoyed" as they celebrated an early Christmas present having been reunited with their dog after it was stranded on a ledge on a steep cliff at Tormore, Glencar, for at least five days. 'Sam' a thirteen and a half years old Springer spaniel was rescued on Monday after a five hour operation by the Sligo and Leitrim Mountain Rescuse Service.

"We are absolutely delighted to have him back. We had given up hope," said Andy Gilmartin, whose mother, Annie is the owner of the dog.

"He went missing on Wednesday morning and we searched everywhere for him. We contacted local Garda Stations and put up pictures. As the days went on we did not think we would see him again," he added.

Alan Sayers of the Sligo Mountain Rescue Service described the rescue as "somewhat unusual" and said it was completed in "difficult conditions."

He explained that a call had been received on Sunday afternoon after a local resident had spotted the dog on a ledge with a 60 metre drop at Tormore.

"We believe the dog was there for at least five days. It was heard barking and there was no way down for it," Alan said.

The Sligo and Leitrim Mountain Rescue unit had been conducting a training exercise in the Calry area at the time and immediately relocated to Glencar.

A five member team went up the mountain, locating the local resident who gave an approximate location for the dog.

"At that stage we assessed the situation. It was getting dark and the area was very, very steep, with very, very loose ground. We did not have a visual on the dog.

"We used search management to determine that there was a very low probability of any person being in distress and it was decided that we would return at first light on Monday," he added.

The search for the dog recommenced at 10a.m., with local farmers and residents assisting.

The dog was located and after three unsuccessful attempts an anchor was established on a ledge above the animal and a member of the Mountain Rescue team abseiled down to pick it up and descended to safe ground at 2p.m. The dog was cared for by local resident, Mark Magennis "It was Rachel Cox who lives in Glencar who first found it. We had a look but there was no way we could rescue it. It was a very friendly dog," Mark said.

Alan Sayers thanked all those who had assisted in the rescue and said he was delighted there was a happy ending.

- MICHAEL MORAN