A dig for the body of Barry Corcoran, who has been missing since July, has concluded without success in Co Kildare.
Mr Corcoran (39), from Wicklow town, was last seen in Ballyfermot, west Dublin, on the night of July 6th last.
Gardaí began digging in an area of Co Kildare on Wednesday morning after receiving intelligence as to the whereabouts of his body.
It is understood investigations are continuing, but no trace of a body has been recovered and the operation in Kildare has been fully concluded.
Since he went missing in July, Mr Corcoran has failed to collect his jobseeker’s allowance, and his phone has been silent.
Gardaí said at the time his family were “baffled” by his disappearance, as he had no history of mental illness or association with criminals, although detectives later received intelligence suggesting he had fallen foul of criminal elements.
‘Hasn’t accessed funds’
Supt Brendan Connolly of Ballyfermot Garda station said at the time: "He hasn't accessed funds. He hasn't accessed his social welfare or contacted his family. Nothing has been heard from anybody since he disappeared."
Mr Corcoran has a five-year-old daughter in Wicklow. He had lived with his brother in Wicklow town.
On the day he disappeared, he went to his local post office at about 9.35pm. He took a bus to Dublin and then a red line Luas to the Kylemore Road stop, where he met a friend.
He made some purchases in a local shop on the Kylemore Road at 2.30pm and at 6.30pm.
He was visiting friends on Cremona Road, Ballyfermot, at approximately 6.45pm on July 6th when he was last seen.
His status was not reported until a few days after he disappeared.
He is described as 5’11” in height and of thin build. He has short grey hair and blue eyes and is described as walking with a slight “shuffle”. He also has an old scar on the bridge of his nose.
He was last seen wearing a dark rain jacket, blue jeans and black Puma runners.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Garda Confidential line at 1800 666 111.