AN EXCAVATION is underway in the search for an Irishman who has been missing for 17 years, after gardaí received 'significant' information in relation to his disappearance.
Trevor Deely, 22 and from Naas, Co. Kildare, was last captured on CCTV passing the Bank of Ireland ATM machine on Haddington Road in Dublin at approximately 4.14am on December 8, 2000.
Following his Christmas party that evening, Trevor called to his place of work to collect an umbrella as it was raining.
Missing: Trevor Deely, 22, disappeared 17 years ago. (Picture: Garda)While the investigation into his disappearance has never been closed, the Garda Review Team at Pearse Street Garda Station have been investigating Mr Deely’s disappearance since September 2016, under the command of Detective Superintendent Peter O’Boyle and Detective Inspector Paul Costello.
Digital enhancement of the CCTV footage of Mr Deely's movements that morning – which was released in April – showed him talking to and being followed by a man dressed in black acting suspiciously near Mr Deely's workplace between 3.30 and 4.14 that morning.
On Saturday, August 12, An Garda Síochána announced they had closed off a three-acre area of woodland belonging to South Dublin County Council in Chapelizod, in the west of the city.
The search area is between a public road and the River Liffey, just eight kilometres from where Mr Deely was last seen in 2000.
Speaking from inside the search area, DI Costello said while gardaí couldn't discuss the source of the information, he did say it was new to the investigation and that this is the first significant search since Mr Deely's disappearance was reviewed last year.
"We're conducting a search of this area over the coming days searching for evidence connected to the disappearance of Trevor Deely," he said.
"This is a very stressful time for the Deely family and I'd ask that their privacy is respected in this process."
Previously, Mr Deely's sister Michelle Deely appealed for anyone to come forward with information, saying that even a 'snippet' of conversation could be helpful.
"There’s very few people that could come forward that actually spoke with Trevor after he left Buck Whaley’s, so his work colleague is the last confirmed person who spoke with Trevor so I think this could be very helpful," she said.
“There might be just something in that snippet of conversation that could be helpful, we don’t know.
“It’s important the person in the footage at the top of Haddington Road comes forward because that’s the last sighting of Trevor.
“We know it’s a big ask and we know we’ve asked for so much already but I think we need to keep asking for the public’s help in coming forward with information.”
Gardaí have asked that anyone with information contact Pearse Street Garda Station on +353 1 666 9000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
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