Park search for Icelandic man missing for five years
GARDAÍ have begun a search of a public park in Dublin as part of the investigation into the disappearance of an Icelandic man five years ago.
Jon Jonsson left the Bonnington Hotel on the Swords Road in Whitehall, north Dublin, at around 11am on Saturday, February 9, 2019, and was last seen walking past the entrance to Highfield Hospital a short while later.
Investigators in Ballymun last week renewed their appeal to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of the then 41-yearold, with gardaí now searching at Santry Demesne. RTÉ reported that gardaí in Ballymun were supported by the underwater unit and specialist dogs at the demesne yesterday morning.
The park is situated 3.5km from where Mr Jonsson was last seen. It is understood the search is being conducted on foot of information received by gardaí in two anonymous letters.
The search will continue today and will include searches of the lake, island, woodlands and other areas of the park.
A Garda spokesman said: ‘Gardaí are conducting searches in relation to an ongoing missing persons investigation. No further information is available.’
Gardaí issued a renewed appeal for the missing Icelandic man just last week, recounting his final known steps in an updated statement, which said: ‘Jon is described as being 6ft tall, of medium build, with short brown hair. When last seen he was wearing a black padded jacket.
It added: ‘During the course of the investigation, the investigation team has received two items of anonymous correspondence, the contents of which have been assessed.
‘The Garda investigation team are appealing to the author(s) of those correspondences to make direct contact with them. Any contact will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.’
Anyone who has any information on Mr Jonsson’s disappearance or who can assist in locating him is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station on 01 666 4400, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.