Missing man lived rough on mountain

THE family of a man missing from Britain for five months was relieved last night after he was found living rough on a mountain in Connemara.

Gareth Evans, who is 37 and from Penpillick near Par in Cornwall, was taken to hospital after he was spotted near Leenane, Connemara, Co Galway, malnourished and slightly injured.

A garda from nearby Clifden station said: “He was located around 7pm yesterday evening after we were called out when the man was spotted by locals.

“He appeared in some discomfort and was obviously in ill health and he had injuries to his feet and was in a somewhat malnourished condition.”

It is believed Mr Evans may have been living rough on the mountain near Leenane for the past week. Gardaí confirmed there was a possible sighting of the man on the mountain last Sunday.

“We don’t know how long he was there,” the garda said.

Mr Evans is being treated for injuries to his feet in University College Hospital, Galway, where his condition has been described as stable.

Police in Cornwall reported Mr Evans missing after he left his home for a walk on the morning of Wednesday, December 8, last year.

He was last seen by a family friend on the Par to Plymouth train at around 10.40am later that day.

Gardaí said the family had been worried about him since last December.

“It wouldn’t fit the usual missing persons case,” the garda said.