MORE THAN FOUR weeks on from the day that Tom Kennedy went missing from his home in Finglas, family, friends and local volunteers are still searching in west Dublin.
The volunteers are searching every night and this evening focused their efforts on a field in the Civil Defence felt hadn’t been sufficiently ruled out.
Last night a ‘Light of Hope’ ceremony was held in the scout’s den on Cardiffsbridge Road to give a boost to Tom’s family and the volunteers searching for him.
“It’s harder for us at this stage,” says Tom’s daughter-in-law Claire. “We thought the search would take a few days so it gets more difficult the further along it goes. It’s getting difficult to keep hope and we want him to be be found whatever the outcome.”
Last night’s service brought together the Civil Defence, under water search teams as well as civillian volunteers. Local stores donated refreshments and the family have thanked local business for their help during the search.
Claire says that there’s a dedicated crew of about 10 people who are out every night looking for the missing 81-year-old. These are supplemented by different rescue groups and other volunteers and there’s usually up to 40 people involved in each search.
Some of the searches have had up to 80 people but, as the weeks have gone on and children return to school, understandably people cannot devote as much of their time to the search.
Kennedy was last seen on the night of 29 July, when he left his home in the Virginia Park area of Finglas at around 9pm, without bringing his mobile phone with him.
At the time, his family told TheJournal.ie they were particularly concerned for his well-being because it was totally out of character for him not to return home at night, and because he had recently experienced health problems.
Each night the search teams meet at the den and have plan in place for which areas they will concentrate on. The searches have focused on Finglas and surrounding areas but there have been searches as far off as Baldoyle.
Gardaí have repeatedly renewed their appeal for information from the public about Tom Kennedy’s whereabouts.
He is described as 5’3″/5’4″ and of slim build. He was wearing dark trousers, black velcro shoes and a white polo shirt with blue stripes.
He was also wearing his glasses and watch when he left home.
If you have any information please call all Finglas Garda station on 01-666-7500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111, or contact any Garda station.
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