Search for two missing persons

Gardaí are seeking the public's help in locating the whereabouts of two people who have gone missing in recent days.

Gardaí are seeking the public's help in locating the whereabouts of two people who have gone missing in recent days.

Aoife Phelan (30) was last seen last Thursday evening in Colliers Lane, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Aoife is described as being  170.18 cm (5ft 7in) in height, is of slim build and has long blonde/sandy coloured hair and blue eyes.

When last seen she was wearing jeans and a knitted jumper. She also has a red bomber style jacket with her.

Efforts to locate the whereabouts of 18-year-old Cormac Clare, who was last seen at his home in Kilteel, Naas, Co Kildare, in the early hours of Monday morning, will resume again today.

Superintendent Patrick Mangan, of Naas Garda station, yesterady appealed to the public for help to trace the whereabouts of the 18-year-old student who had been hitchhiking.

"We have grave concerns for Cormac's welfare and have carried out extensive searches since Monday," he said.

Over 400 people, including local gardai, garda divisional search teams, Garda Water Unit, Civil Defence and members of the public from the locality, helped in the search yesterday.

"We are especially appealing to members of the public who may have seen Cormac near his home on Monday morning, or hitchhiking on the N7 or N81 routes, to contact us," Sup Mangan said.

Cormac is described as being 185-188 cm (ca 6ft 1in to 6ft 2in) tall. He is thin and has short tight brown hair.

His parents, Seamus and Lorraine, have said his disappearance is totally out of character.

When last seen, he was wearing a navy jacket (possibly Regatta), a wine-coloured hoodie, navy plain Nike track suit legs (cotton style) and runners.

It is possible he also had a small black and green Jack Murphy rucksack in his possession, gardaí said.

Anyone who can assist in locating Aoife is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057-8674100. Anyone with information on Cormac Clare should contact Naas Garda Station on  045 884300. Alternatively, and in both cases, the Garda confidential telephone line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station can be contacted.