Missing people urged to leave message to family

A free phoneline has been set up for willingly missing people to send Christmas messages to their families.

Missing In Ireland said that, while it respects someone’s right to remain missing, it understands the heartache and worry felt by those at home.

Dermot Browne, chairman of the support service, said many people run away or go missing by personal choice for a variety of reasons including relationship breakdown, personal or financial problems, or a desire to start a new life.