A cousin of missing Limerick man Gussie Shanahan, who disappeared in February, has set up a website for missing Irish people which will also provide support for their relatives.
Father Aquinas Duffy, who is based in Tallaght, Dublin, says having a missing relative is "worse than death" because hopes are constantly raised and then dashed again.
Although there are a number of websites based in Britain for missing people, no dedicated site had been established in the Republic for the 2,000 people a year who are registered missing. The number seems high but most people are missing for only a matter of hours.
According to the annual report of the Garda Siochana, the number of people who went missing in 1998 and were not traced by the by the end of the year amounted to 14. "Unfortunately, in a lot of cases where we have people still missing, a huge proportion will be bodies," he says. This year, 45 people have been reported missing.
In Limerick, 20-year-old Gussie Shahahan disappeared after leaving a local pub, Cooper's, at about 10.30 p.m. on February 11th. Father Duffy says Mr Shanahan was in good spirits and not prone to depression, and the family had done everything to locate him.
"They have put posters up in practically every shop in Limerick, Clare, Kerry, Tipperary, and even now in Dublin. "The worst part is when the publicity dies down and you have nothing, and you just feel so helpless," says Father Duffy.
He says the advantage of the website is that it is a continuous presence and support to the family. "I feel that at least this is something positive that can be done. They feel he is not forgotten. The appeal is still on."
He points out that people over 18 are entitled to go missing of their own free will but, for families, it is a comfort to know their loved ones are OK.
If people want to pass on information to Father Duffy, he will post it on the website at no cost. Photos and information should be sent to info@peoplemissing.org or info@missing.ws
Please include details of the police agency to which the case has been reported. People can write to Father Duffy at 70 Maplewood Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Father Duffy's website is at www.peoplemissing.org
The Callhome organisation, which operates a free helpline for families of missing people, also has a website: www.callhome.ie