Missing man search intensifies

IRA denied abducting Gareth O'Connor

Police have stepped up their search for a missing father-of-two from Armagh.

Gareth O'Connor, 24, has not been seen since he left his home in Knockamel Park last Sunday to go to Dundalk, County Louth.

His family claimed police had already warned them that the IRA may be targeting him because of alleged links with dissident republicans.

However, the IRA said in a statement it knew nothing about Mr O'Connor's whereabouts.

Mr O'Connor had been due to report to Dundalk police station in the Irish Republic as part of his bail conditions on a charge of belonging to an illegal paramilitary group.

Detectives believe he took a route through Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.

Officers have been talking to motorists in the area on Sunday in an attempt to find out what happened to Mr O'Connor.

Gareth O'Connor's father Mark said his son was always on his mobile phone and texting his family.

I want him returned one way or another - if the worst comes to the worst I want to be told

Gareth O'Connor's mother

"The IRA say they know nothing - but they know everything," he said.

"For a man in a car to go missing in south Armagh is impossible without the IRA being involved in it.

"I don't understand why these people in the IRA movement cannot get word to us or tell us that anything is happening... that they haven't got him or that they have got him.

"He has no change of clothes, he has no money - he has nothing.

"He left his cashcard in the house and the Gards (Irish police) have his passport - so as for absconding, it is absolutely ridiculous."

'Alive or dead'

Gareth O'Connor's mother said she now feared the worst.

"Every knock that comes to the door, you are fearing that this is the news," she said.

"When the phone goes, you are thinking the same thing.

"If they are any sort of humane people, all it takes is a phone call to let us know whether Gareth is alive or dead.

"I want him returned one way or another - if the worst comes to the worst I want to be told."

PSNI Chief Inspector Hugh Hume appealed for help in the investigation.

"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 said.

"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."