Gardaí in Co Wicklow yesterday intensified their search for an elderly woman who went missing from a nursing home in Bray over Christmas.
A full-time search team of 20 locally based gardaí was augmented by some 60 members of the Civil Defence Forces, as well as personnel from the Garda Underwater Unit, the Irish Coast Guard and St John's Ambulance.
Maura Reynolds (78), who suffers from Alzheimer's disease and severe dementia, was last seen at the Tara Nursing Home on Putland Road in Bray on Christmas day. She has cancer of the spine and is unable to walk long distances. Gardaí now believe Ms Reynolds may have left the nursing home earlier than originally thought.
Det Insp Frank Keenaghan, who is leading the investigation, said there had been possible sightings of a woman matching her description, between 9.30pm and 10pm on December 25th. This is several hours before she was reportedly seen in her room by staff at the nursing home.
"We're looking at these possible sightings that are leading us in different directions," he said.
Det Insp Keenaghan said the Garda had received advice from the Alzheimer Society of Ireland that, usually, when sufferers went missing, they were found within a short distance of their last known location. "But we searched the home, the vicinity and all nearby gardens at least four or five times, and we came up with nothing. We have broadened our search now."
The search area now takes in a large part of Bray town, though attention has focused around Bray Head. Gardaí have reiterated their appeal to anyone who was near the seafront or on the Bray Head walk between 9pm and 11pm to contact them.
Det Insp Keenaghan said the Garda had not ruled out the possibility that Ms Reynolds travelled by road after leaving the nursing home. "We have to keep an open mind, and we're hoping for the best," he said.
Gardaí have, in recent days, searched Ms Reynolds's former home at Balally Drive, off the Sandyford Road, Dublin, to ensure that she did not return there this week. Ms Reynolds is well known in the Sandyford area, where she lived before moving to the Tara Nursing Home some years ago. Former neighbours said they were shocked at her disappearance.
Ms Reynolds's daughter-in-law Priscilla said the family was being kept informed of developments, and the possibility Ms Reynolds left the nursing home earlier than first believed "is all we have to hold on to".
Ms Reynolds is 163cm (5ft 4in) with white hair, and she walks with a slight stoop. She is thought to be wearing a purple suit.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Bray Garda station at 01-6665300.