The sister of a tennis coach who disappeared six years ago today has issued an emotional appeal for him to come home to his family in Cork.
Pearse Cremin (34) from Glasheen Road in Cork city disappeared on October 31st, 2000.
A week after he vanished Mr Cremin was spotted by someone who knew him filling up his car at a service station in Cork.
A person fitting Mr Cremin's description also called on Christmas Eve 2002 to a guesthouse in MacCurtain Street, Cork. He was looking for a room but the guesthouse was full.
His sister Siobhán says it will be hard to face another anniversary of Mr Cremin's disappearance with no further information on his whereabouts. He is described as 5ft 8ins, of slim build, with short, slightly red hair. Anyone with information should contact the Garda on Barrack Street, Cork: (021) 4316020.
Meanwhile, support groups for families of missing persons are urging Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to reinstate the National Missing Persons Helpline as a matter of urgency.
The helpline ceased to operate last year when funding for the service was withdrawn.
An estimated 2,000 people go missing in Ireland annually. Most return, but a small number of families never hear from their loved ones again. About 500 people are considered "acceptably missing" each year, which means they choose to go missing, and people are not worried for their safety.