A SEARCH was due to resume this Thursday morning for a man in his 60s, who has been missing amid freezing temperatures in west County Limerick since last Monday night.
The missing man, named locally as Joe Noonan, was reported missing from the Granagh-Ballingarry, one of several parts hit hardest by treacherous snow and ice conditions this week.
He was last seen in the early hours of Tuesday this week, and Gardaí believe he may have travelled to the Croom area.
A land and air search for the 62-year-old began on Wednesday, across frozen fields, ditches, farms, and byways.
A team of local volunteers, assisted by Gardaí, as well as the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter Rescue 115, carried out a comprehensive search of the Granagh area in difficult conditions before the operation was stood down for the night.
A missing person notice shared online by several community groups in the area stated Gardaí were seeking the assistance of people in the Granagh, Ballingarry, and Croom area in locating Mr Noonan.
Mr Noonan is described as approximately 5’ 9” in height, of stocky build, and was last seen wearing a knee-length grey coat and black wool hat.
The community notice asked people in the surrounding areas “to search outhouses and sheds” and report any sightings to Newcastle West Garda Station (069 20 650) or Henry Street Garda Station (061 212 400).
A local source said that searches for Joe are to begin from the hall in Granagh at approximately 10am this Thursday morning.
“Anyone available, have suitable clothing and footwear, as conditions are very difficult, and are more than likely to worsen over night,” the source said.
“Any help will be greatly appreciated.”
In a second appeal in the county, Gardaí sought the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 27-year-old Hubert Szubiak, who was reported missing from his home in Bruff on Wednesday morning.
Mr Szubiak is described as being approximately 5′ 9” in height with a slim build, brown hair, and brown eyes.
When last seen, he was wearing a black hoodie with blue writing, black pants, and glasses, and may have been driving a grey Audi A6 with 09-MH registration plate.
Anyone with information on Mr Szubiak’s whereabouts is asked to contact Bruff Garda Station on 061 382 940, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
