DNA tests have confirmed that the blood found in Ballygarron Wood near Waterford Regional Airport was that of Tramore man Mr Martin Nolan, who has been missing since last week. Mr Nolan (34) was due to appear in Waterford Circuit Court on Tuesday, to face a charge of possessing several thousand pounds worth of cannabis and ecstasy tablets for sale, but he was reported missing by his partner last Friday. On the same day, foresters came across the bloodstained scene in the wood.
Mr Nolan was last seen in St Herblain Park in Waterford City at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday of last week.
Despite the confirmation that the blood was Mr Nolan's, gardai are still hopeful that he will be found alive. While they are "extremely concerned" at the result of the forensic tests, they still consider Mr Nolan a "missing person".
The Garda Air Support Unit arrived in the area to search for Mr Nolan yesterday. A Garda sub-aqua team joined the search on Thursday. Hospitals and doctors in the area were asked by gardai if they had treated anyone fitting his description for serious injuries, but inquiries failed to produce any leads.
