THE intensity of people turning up for the search of missing man John Gear has not relented even though the search is entering its third week.

Area Officer, Dunmore East Coast Guard Unit Jim Griffin said he has not witnesses the same amount of people coming out to volunteer since the Pere Charles tragedy in 2007.

“The crowds are still turning up and the Saleen’s car park is still working as the base. Nothing has changed there,” he said.

Mr Griffin said the search is ongoing beginning in the morning and concluding when darkness falls. However, the search has now been widened to East Waterford and as far as Duncannon in Co. Wexford.

The Civil Defence along with other emergency services have stood by the Coast Guard searching and transporting the volunteers to various locations along the coast line.

The Area Officer thanked the members of the public for coming out and also for heeding the weather warnings when issued by the local media. He said thankfully not one person has been injured while out searching for Mr Gear.

Father-of-five John Gear from Knockboy area of the city disappeared without a trace leaving his car abandoned at Brownstown with the keys in the ignition on Wednesday, January 15. The alarm was raised when John failed to return home from work at the Tramore Division of Waterford County Council.

John Gear