Police in the North today reconstructed the last known movements of a man alleged to have been abducted by the IRA. Gareth O'Connor, 24, disappeared last Sunday as he travelled from his Armagh home to Dundalk, Co Louth.
The PSNI believe his journey would have taken him through Newtownhamilton and officers were in the border village today speaking to motorists and handing out posters. Mr O'Connor's family claims the father-of-two was ambushed by IRA members as he crossed the south Armagh border.
He was due to report to Dundalk Garda station having been charged with membership of the Real IRA last year.
His father Mark said he believed Gareth may be dead and has appealed to the IRA to reveal the whereabouts of his body. The Provisional IRA has denied any involvement in his disappearance. Mr O'Connor was driving a blue Volkswagen Golf when he was last seen. Chief Inspector Hugh Hume called for the help of the community in tracing him.
"Our concern is for the safety of Gareth O'Connor, the father of two young children. We are investigating his disappearance and need help in establishing his movements last Sunday.
"He was intending to travel to Dundalk and we hope that someone hearing this appeal saw Mr O'Connor driving his Golf car through the Newtownhamilton area or knows where his car is now," he said.
PA