Limerick gardaí, backed by the garda Dog Unit, Garda Air Unit and 60 soldiers will resume the search this morning for two brothers who were abducted at gunpoint by masked men in the city on Thursday night.
Mr Eddie Ryan, a 20-year-old father of one, and his 19-year old brother Kieran, have not been seen since they were abducted while walking along Moylish Road, close to their home in Kileely, at around 11 p.m. on Thursday night.
A black car pulled up alongside the brothers and two masked and armed men jumped out and bundled the Ryans into the car. A third man at the scene, Mr Christopher Costello, escaped on foot. At least one shot is believed to have been fired during the abduction.
The missing men were known to the gardaí, and yesterday their family said hopes of their safe return had faded.
Over the weekend, gardaí from Mayorstone and Henry Street Garda stations requested assistance from the Army in their search for the brothers. On Saturday, 30 troops from the 2nd Infantry Battalion at Limerick's Sarsfield Barracks joined the search party.
Their efforts were concentrated close to the men's home. Yesterday, 30 more troops were drafted in and the search was widened. Large sections of the countryside outside north Limerick city, around Woodcock Hill, were scoured.
One fixed-wing Garda aircraft and one Garda helicopter assisted. Supt Willie Keane, who is heading the inquiry, said that while yesterday's search had yielded nothing, he was still hopeful the men might be found alive.
"We are certainly still hoping - you have to remain optimistic," he said. "Wet and misty conditions in Limerick yesterday had made the search more difficult. We will continue the operation next week and it will be a question of reviewing it on a daily basis."
Gardaí last night renewed their appeal for anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity to come forward. The Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, also appealed for the men's safe return.