Gardaí resume search for missing builder in Portlaoise

Gardai have stepped up their search for a 59 year old man who has been missing for nearly nine months.

Plastering contractor Tommy Thompson disappeared from his home in Portlaoise in April of last year.

A team of gardaí is today combing the area between Stradbally and Portlaoise for clues.

Tommy Thompson is originally from the north of England but moved to Ireland to work on building sites.

His family contacted the Gardaí after he vanished last April, and a major search operation was launched.

Just before Christmas, gardaí combed Stradbally woods on the Portlaoise to Stradbally Road, but the search concluded with no significant finds.

Around the same time two German nationals - who had previously worked with Mr Thompson - appeared in court charged with robbing his home.

Today, 14 members of the Gardaí have returned to the woods hoping to find some clues about what happened to the 59-year-old.