Backpacker's Cousin Devastated as Promised Extra Resources Do Not Arrive

international | miscellaneous | press release Wednesday December 19, 2007 18:00 by ronanlawlor.org - ronanlawlor.org inforonan at gmail dot com

Grainne Lawlor, cousin of Irish Backpacker, Ronan Lawlor who is missing in Torres Del Paine National Park has issued a statement outlining her distress as promised extra resources do not arrive. Grainne and Ronan's friend Bernard McCabe are participating in the search and rescue every day.

Ronan and Grainne

Grainne Said:

"Last night (Tuesday, 18 Dec) at a meeting in the National Park attended by the search party and a number of senior Chilean officials, a significant scale up of the search was promised. This was welcome news because the search area proved to be far too challenging for a small group of rescuers. This raised our spirits considerably and we felt there was a real commitment and desire by the authorities to find Ronan.

However, this morning we have been informed that the additional resources amounts to little more than one sniffer dog and handler and perhaps one or two extra rescue personnel. We are devastated by this. It means that a thorough and detailed search cannot be carried out and we simply cannot understand why there isn't a genuine commitment to find Ronan 5 days after the authorities were made aware of the exact location where he went missing. We also cannot understand why many rescue organisations are not involved even though we know they have enquired to see if they can assist - please accept their help! There are currently approximately 16 people involved in the search. We urgently need at least 100 search and rescue personnel to comb this area thoroughly and find Ronan. I can't praise those Search and Rescue personnel who are here with us highly enough - they are truly fantastic but the area is just too large for them and progress is very slow - we need more resources.

Today marks the 31st Day since we last heard from Ronan. He's an extremely resourceful person and, knowing him well, there is every chance that he is out there alive but perhaps injured. Every day that goes past diminishes this chance and we urgently need a full scale search and rescue operation to bring him home to his parents, family and friends. I am begging the authorities to 'fullfil your promise and' please bring in whatever resources you have at your disposal to help us find him."

Further info: http://www.ronanlawlor.org

Press enquiries: inforonan@gmail.com (please put Media Enquiry in the subject headline)
Photography of Ronan is available on http://www.ronanlawlor.org