Missing backpacker's cousin in plea over search effort
The cousin of an Irish backpacker missing in a remote stretch of the Chilean-Argentinian border tonight said she was devastated by the lack of commitment from authorities.
Grainne Lawlor said extra resources promised in the search for 28-year-old Ronan Lawlor have not arrived.
Mr Lawlor, from Durrow, Co Laois, was last seen on November 18 travelling by bus to the park in the Patagonian region.
He has not been in contact with friends or family since he entered the Torres del Paine national park.
“Today marks the 31st day since we last heard from Ronan,” said Ms Lawlor.
“He’s an extremely resourceful person and, knowing him well, there is every chance that he is out there alive but perhaps injured.
“Every day that goes past diminishes this chance and we urgently need a full scale search and rescue operation to bring him home to his parents, family and friends.
“I am begging the authorities to fulfil your promise and please bring in whatever resources you have at your disposal to help us find him.”
The search is focusing on a 20km sq area on the Chilean side of the border.
Ms Lawlor said a number of senior Chilean officials last night promised a significant scale up of the search.
However, she said this morning she was told additional resources amount to one sniffer dog and handler and one or two extra rescue personnel.
“We are devastated by this,” she said, from south America.
“It means that a thorough and detailed search cannot be carried out. There are currently approximately 16 people involved in the search.
“We urgently need at least 100 search and rescue personnel to comb this area thoroughly and find Ronan.
“I can’t praise those Search and Rescue personnel who are here with us highly enough – they are truly fantastic but the area is just too large for them and progress is very slow – we need more resources.”
Last night, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said a helicopter and extra sniffer dogs would join in operations today.
Officials from his office have also remained in contact with the local Chilean Governor of the region where Mr Lawlor was last seen.
Officials from his department remain in contact with the local Chilean Governor of the region where Mr Lawlor was last seen.
“We will continue to liaise with Mr Lawlor’s family and Government agencies in Chile and Argentina and provide whatever assistance we can,” he added.
