River searched as Wexford woman goes missing after night out with friends

Gardai investigating the disappearance of a young Wexford woman at the weekend say there is no indication that foul play was …

Gardai investigating the disappearance of a young Wexford woman at the weekend say there is no indication that foul play was involved.

Ms Clare Dempsey (20), from Ballycash, Oulart, was last seen on the Spring Valley Road in Enniscorthy at 3.30 a.m. on Saturday. She was alone, but had earlier been out with a group of friends at Movita's nightclub in Templeshannon.

When the nightclub closed she shared a taxi with a friend and was dropped off alone at the house of another friend, on Esmonde Road, Enniscorthy, at about 3 a.m. She did not go into the house, however.

She is five feet four inches, of medium build and has shoulder-length fair hair.

When last seen, she was wearing a black vest top with a white design on the front, black trousers, black ankle-boots and gold-framed glasses.

An Army underwater unit yesterday joined a search of the River Slaney between Enniscorthy bridge and Edermine bridge, three miles away.

A search of the surrounding area has also been conducted by the Garda air support unit.

A Garda spokesman said that while they were keeping an open mind there was "no indication at this stage" of foul play.

Ms Dempsey, one of a family of 10 sisters and four brothers, attended a course in teleservices at Enniscorthy vocational school.

The investigation is being led by Sgt Mary Murphy at Enniscorthy, and anyone with information is asked to phone the station at 054-33534.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter

Chris Dooley

Chris Dooley

Chris Dooley is a former Foreign Editor of The Irish Times