As Gardai appealed for information about a missing student who was last seen near her home in Co Kildare on Tuesday afternoon, a Cork TD has called on the Garda Commissioner to consider using the Garda website to help trace missing persons.
Mr John Dennehy, Fianna Fail TD for Cork South Central, said photos and details of missing persons could be posted on the Internet.
The missing student, Ms Deirdre Jacobs (18), of Roseberry, Newbridge, Co Kildare, is described as 5'2", of slim build with short black/brown hair and grey/green eyes. When she disappeared she was wearing a navy Nike jumper with a white collar, blue jeans and blue Nike runners.
Insp Sean Lavin of Newbridge Garda station, who is investigating the disappearance, said she was seen "near her home between 3 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. We don't know whether she got home or not as there was no one home at the time, but she was not with anyone when she was seen."
Ms Jacobs has just completed her first year of teacher training at Strawberry Hill in England.
Gardai are anxious to speak to anyone who may have information or may have seen her on Tuesday afternoon. They are asked to contact gardai at Newbridge (045) 431-2120 or the Garda Confidential Telephone line on 1-800-666111.
Mr Dennehy said the Garda's website would be the "ideal" Internet site given that they already operate a missing persons bureau.
"Other details such as a physical description, clothing, when last seen and perhaps even video clips of the missing person could also be posted on the Internet site." Meanwhile, gardai in east Cork said yesterday that a woman who had been missing for almost a week made contact with a friend in the area yesterday and was on her way home.
There had been fears for the safety of Ms Helena McCarthy (24), of Berkeley Court, Cloyne, Co Cork, who was last seen in Midleton on Saturday. When she failed to make contact with family or friends, gardai issued an appeal to the public. However, following the appeal, Ms McCarthy made contact yesterday with friends in the area. She had gone to Dublin with a friend.