The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell has called for the release of the two kidnapped Limerick brothers promising that "whatever must be done will be done in order to make every effort to bring those two men back to their families."
Mr McDowell called for the safe return of Eddie Ryan, 20, and his 19-year-old brother Kieran saying he hoped they were found alive and that those holding them realise "how insane and cruel a strategy they have adopted."
Meanwhile, extra troops joined gardaí today in the search for the two brothers. Some 100 soldiers are now helping in the search.
The brothers were abducted while walking along Moylish Road, close to their home in Kileely, at about 11 p.m. last Thursday.
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.
The missing men were known to the gardaí, and yesterday their family said hopes of their safe return had faded.
Over the weekend, gardaí requested help 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. Yesterday 30 more troops were drafted in and today more troops arrived from Clonmel, Co Tipperary to help in the search.
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.