CHILDREN as young as 11 have been volunteering to join the search for a missing West Limerick man, such is the concern and support locally to locate him.
Up to 200 local people have joined Gardaí and search and rescue services to try to find 73-year-old John McSweeney, who has been missing from his home in Athea since Saturday last (January 6).
Local Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin told the Limerick Post that, in all his political career, he has “never seen such a show of community support and determination”.
“Everyone wants to be involved and to help, from walking the fields and the forest to providing food and hot drinks for the search teams,” the Abbeyfeale man said.
“I got a text from a young lad yesterday, he about 11 or 12 years old, asking was he too young to get involved – he isn’t. We want everyone who can help in any way to come out.”
Teams of locals have been braving the bitter cold every day this week, with the exception of Thursday when Gardaí asked volunteers to stay home so specialist sniffer dogs could be brought in for a clear run.
“It’s a big search area. We have a lot of forestry and bog land but nobody wants to give up,” said Cllr Galvin.
“We are absolutely baffled as to what has happened. John went out for a walk on Saturday and has quite literally disappeared,” he said.
Members of Abbeyfeale and District Search and Rescue have been part of the search and have been helping co-ordinate the efforts of local volunteers.
Cllr Galvin said that the turnout is “a tribute to the community spirit. The level of volunteerism in these terribly cold conditions is unbelievable.”
Gardaí are particularly asking anyone who has land or buildings within a six or seven mile range to check them.
“People are walking the land, looking in drains and ditches. We will keep looking to get closure for the family,” said Liam.
Mr McSweeney has been missing since last Saturday afternoon (January 6). He is 5’ 7” tall and of slim build. He is bald and missing a front tooth. When last seen, he was wearing a black coat, a black, peaked cap, and wellington boots.
Volunteers are asked to meet in the mornings in Knockaculgga, Athea, County Limerick (Eircode V94 D2H6), which has been the start point throughout the week.
Searching starts at 10am and, Cllr Galvin pointed out, the roads will be gritted with the cold snap set to continue.
