Rescuers step up search for missing Ronan Lawlor

The search for missing Irish backpacker Ronan Lawlor is set to be stepped up today following the latest information about his possible whereabouts in South America.

The 28-year-old, from Durrow in Co Laois, has been missing since entering a national park on the Chilean-Argentinian border a month ago.

The search is now focusing on a particular area of the park on foot of information provided by two tourists who spoke to him just before he went hiking in the area.

Speaking in Dundalk this morning, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said the local authorities were doing everything possible to locate Mr Lawlor.

He said he had been assured that all available resources would be deployed as part of the search.