Divers extend their search as fears mount for missing Elisha (14)

THE parents of missing Tipperary teen Elisha Gault (14) said their “hearts are absolutely broken” that there has been no trace of her found despite four days of intensive searches.

Gráinne Gault confirmed that there has been “no concrete sighting” of her daughter Elisha since she was last spotted on Dillon Bridge in Carrick-on-Suir around 10pm on St Patrick’s Day.

“Elisha’s Dad, her sisters, myself and all her extended family and friends want to sincerely thank everyone who have been involved in the search for our daughter who unfortunately has still not been located.”

Prayers were offered at all Masses in Carrick-on-Suir yesterday as divers trawled the River Suir for 1km downstream of the town while Gardaí conducted door-to-door inquiries and examined hundreds of hours of CCTV footage for any indication of Elisha’s movements.

However, despite an intensive search, nothing of note was found.

The search for the missing Tipperary schoolgirl has now been extended to Waterford, Clonmel and Kilkenny in the hope she may have caught a lift and be staying with a distant acquaintance.

Searches of the River Suir will resume at first light today.

Detectives have already checked with Elisha’s friends and are satisfied she is not staying with any Carrick-on-Suir pal. Gardai stressed that they are still hopeful that Elisha is alive. However, one Garda source acknowledged that fears for Elisha’s welfare are mounting the longer she remains untraced.

Dozens of concerned Carrick-on-Suir residents lined the town quays throughout yesterday as search volunteers combed the riverbanks.