Search on for missing man

DESPITE appalling weather conditions, a massive search was mounted yesterday for a 38-year-old man who has been reported missing in Castlemaine, Co Kerry.

No trace was found of Pat Flahive, a single factory worker who lives with his mother at Shanakeale, Castlemaine. The search is due to be resumed at 9.30am today.

Mr Flahive was last seen standing near Griffin’s pub, in the village of Castlemaine, about four miles from his home at 1.20am on Tuesday. He had been socialising with friends and is believed to have been waiting for a lift home.

It is not known if he began to walk, or hitch a lift.

Supt Michael O’Donovan said gardaí were keeping an open mind, adding that it was completely out of character for him to disappear without trace.

“If he wasn’t going home on a night, he would always telephone,” Supt O’Donovan added.

More than 100 local people yesterday braved strong winds and non-stop rain in the search for Mr Flahive.

Also involved were gardaí, Civil Defence, Killarney Water Rescue and rangers from Killarney National Park. A Shannon Marine rescue helicopter had to abandon plans to take part because the weather. Roadsides, ditches, drains and fields within a four-mile radius of Castlemaine were searched. Rivers were also probed and boats were used at the mouth of the estuary of the river Maine.

Castlemaine Community Centre was the search headquarters and local women provided tea and sandwiches for the search party throughout the day. Food was supplied by local shops.

Gardaí, meanwhile, have issued an appeal to anyone who may have seen Mr Flahive, or who travelled along a stretch of the Dingle road out of Castlemaine between 1.20am and 6am, on Tuesday, to contact them.

Mr Flahive, who works in Denny’s bacon factory, Tralee, stands at 5ft 10in, has fair hair and was wearing a black leather jacket and dark jeans when last seen.

It is understood his mobile phone and bank account have not been activated since Monday.