MISSING PEOPLE or people who have lost touch with their families are being asked to get in touch with loved ones this Christmas.
The Missing in Ireland Support Service yesterday announced its annual appeal for missing people to contact home.
"This year while most of us are celebrating, there will be many families who are anxiously awaiting some news about a missing loved one," the support group's chairman, Dermot Browne, said.
"A message from this person could be the best present that a family can get. A phone call, card or even a short note to say that you are alive and well will bring much-needed joy this Christmas."
The Missing in Ireland Support Service is a voluntary organisation and registered charity that works to support families of missing people. Every year, more than 6,000 people are reported missing in Ireland, he said.
"While over 95 per cent are located within a short period of time, the impact on families, friends and the missing persons themselves can be devastating. There are also cases that remain unsolved after many years," said Mr Browne.
"People go missing for a variety of reasons - in some cases, people lose touch with their family and feel they cannot make contact after an extended period of time.
"We would encourage people to get in touch with their families, especially at this time of year," he added.
This week marked the eighth anniversary of the disappearance of Kildare bank worker, Trevor Deeley, who went missing after a Christmas party on December 8th, 2000, in Dublin.
A Garda spokesman said Trevor's disappearance remained an "active investigation".
• The Missing Persons Helpline on 1890 442 552, can facilitate contact or go to www.miss.ie or www.missingpersons.ie
