Search for missing woman is cut back

Gardai in Newbridge, Co Kildare, have begun to scale down their search for Ms Deirdre Jacob, the local woman who disappeared four weeks ago tomorrow.

With no new leads in the investigation, searches by local volunteers have ended. Garda under water units have continued to search nearby rivers and lakes, but a second search of the Liffey near Ms Jacob's home, 11/2 miles outside Newbridge, proved fruitless last week.

The 18-year-old student teacher was last seen walking home at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28th. She had gone into the town to see her grandmother before visiting the AIB bank and the post office.

She was last seen at a road junction about 300 yards from her house on the Barretstown Road. She wore navy jeans and white Nike runners with blue trim, a navy polo shirt with white trim and short sleeves. She carried a black bag with a yellow CAT logo.

??????????/i in Newbridge said yesterday they had received a "massive" amount of information from the public. Every avenue of investigation was being followed, and the response from local people had been "fabulous". There had, however, been no new developments. in the case.

Ms Jacob, who had just completed the first year of teacher training at St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill in London.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newbridge Garda station at (045) 431212.