Gardaí call off search for man (59)

Gardaí have "stood down" the search for the 59-year-old Englishman missing from Co Laois since April.

Tommy Thompson, originally from Yorkshire and now feared dead, moved to Ireland to work in the construction industry and was employed as a plasterer in Portlaoise before his disappearance. He was last seen on April 21st.

Garda searches yesterday between Portlaoise and Stradbally were called off last night without finding any trace of Mr Thompson and there are no immediate plans to resume a search.

A search began on Friday and continued on Saturday and yesterday in an attempt to locate Mr Thompson.

Gardaí, using sniffer dogs from the Garda dog unit searched a six-acres area of land between Portlaoise and Stradbally.

Mr Thompson had last been in touch with his wife and other family members in Yorkshire by phone on April 21st, but they heard nothing from him since then.

Family members contacted gardaí. Neighbours on Borris Road in Portlaoise had not seen Mr Thompson in some time.

It is understood gardaí established that Mr Thompson had fallen out with a number of people he was in contact with.

The homes of two men who knew Mr Thompson well were searched earlier this week. The two men were arrested on Tuesday and on Friday were charged with stealing items from Borris Road, where Mr Thompson had lived.

While the search has been called off, gardaí have renewed their appeal for anyone with information to contact them in Portlaoise at (057) 867 4100.