Several files on drugs-related matters are being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions by gardai investigating the disappearance of a Waterford man, Mr Martin Nolan, last year.
About 30 people have been arrested at various times in connection with his disappearance. Blood identified as his was found in a wood near Waterford Regional Airport in November. He had been reported missing at around that time.
Members of the Garda national bureau of crime investigation, who carried out inquiries in the area, have since returned to Dublin. However, Supt Michael McGarry of Waterford said yesterday that investigations were continuing at a local level.
"We are still treating it as a missing person case, but obviously there are very sinister aspects to it," he said.
The 30 people arrested were all from the area and were questioned under the Drugs Trafficking Act at either Waterford or Tramore Garda station. The most recent arrests were made a fortnight ago. Some of those detained were held for up to five days.
"Arising out of those arrests a number of files on ancillary drugs-related matters are being prepared for the DPP, but our investigation into the case of Martin Nolan is continuing," said Supt McGarry.
Mr Nolan (34), from Newtown, Tramore, was last seen on Wednesday, November 10th, at St Herblain Park in Waterford city. Foresters came across the blood-stained scene at Ballygarron Wood two days later and DNA tests subsequently confirmed that the blood was Mr Nolan's.
He had been due to appear at Waterford Circuit Court the following Tuesday to face a charge of possessing for sale several thousand pounds worth of cannabis and ecstasy.
The missing man has two children and worked with his father, John, in a Waterford garage.
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