Fears mount over woman missing from HSE care

FEARS are mounting for a Co Roscommon woman who went missing from a Health Service Executive (HSE) residential centre last month.

Deirdre Conneely, a 32-year-old who has a history of mental illness, was living in HSE accommodation in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, when she disappeared on May 18.

According to the HSE, there are 18 residents at the home, Tithe na gCarad, which is manned by three staff during the day and two by night.

Gardaí in Castlerea confirmed they are concentrating their search in and around the River Suck area.

A garda spokesman said about 40 people were turning out every day to assist in the search.

“Searches are on-going. We are in the water again today,” he said, “Personnel are searching on foot within a 10 metre stretch of the embankment and there are further searches downstream in and around the river. We have the sub-aqua team back out again today too.”

She is described as 5ft 7in in height, of medium build, with black shoulder-length hair. When last seen, she was wearing a black knee-length coat, navy track-suit bottoms, and black shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Castlerea Garda Station on 094-9621630 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.

Meanwhile, the body of 20-year-old missing Belturbet man Dean McKiernan was recovered at around 3pm yesterday, close to the nightclub where he was last seen on Saturday night.

It is understood he may have fallen into the river which runs through Ballyconnell and is part of the Lough Erne canal waterways system.