Gardaí liaise with PSNI as part of missing person investigation in Co Donegal

Search continues with gardaí attempting to contact family to determine where man (60) was last seen

Sliabh Liag, a popular tourist destination, remained closed to visitors on Wednesday, with gardaí to decide whether the closure would continue. Photograph: Joe Dune
Sliabh Liag, a popular tourist destination, remained closed to visitors on Wednesday, with gardaí to decide whether the closure would continue. Photograph: Joe Dune

Gardaí are liaising with police in Northern Ireland in a bid to find the whereabouts of a man they believe may have been seriously assaulted in Co Donegal.

Officers are attempting to contact the man’s family in a bid to determine when he was last seen.

A search for the alleged victim, who is believed to be in his 60s, is still continuing in the Sliabh Liag area of Donegal.

The remote sea cliff location has been closed off by gardaí to visitors for the past three days.

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Gardaí were set to decide on Wednesday if that search will continue into Thursday.

Two people arrested in connection with the investigation were released without charge on Tuesday evening.

The widespread search was sparked after a suspect in the case, a woman in her 20s, contacted a friend to say there had been a serious assault and identified the Sliabh Liag area.

Gardaí immediately launched an investigation and arrested the man and the woman suspected of being involved.

The man’s car was seized and spattered blood was found in the vehicle which are still being examined by officers.

A house in the Killybegs area was also sealed off and forensic officers also carried out an examination of the home.

A key part of the Garda investigation will centre around a recorded phone call made by one of the suspects to the third party who later contacted Gardai.

While it is not understood that there were admissions made in the phone call, it may well form part of the Director of Public Prosecution’s case if anyone is charged with a crime.

Investigating Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them.

Garda sources say they specifically want to hear from anybody who noticed anything suspicious in the Killybegs, Kilcar or Sliabh Liag area between Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening.

Anyone who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda station on 071 985 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.