Hopes fading for missing hiker

Hopes are fading for the welfare of a Swedish man who has been missing in the McGillycuddy Reeks in Co Kerry for almost a week.

22-year-old Olaf Jansenn disappeared while on a hiking holiday in the mountain range last Tuesday. He last contacted his family by text message on the evening of his disappearance.

Rescuers have been searching for him ever since and are due to resume their efforts at first light today.

More than 200 people helped in the search operation yesterday and managed to cover 150 square kilometres in the MacGillicuddy Reeks.

Today's search will concentrate on a smaller area, but most of the volunteers will have to return to work tomorrow and Kerry Mountain Rescue is appealing for anyone in the area to be extra vigilant over the coming days.