Search goes on for Irish missing after tsunami

The search in continuing for missing Irish victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.

The search in continuing for missing Irish victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.

Concern is mounting about the fate of three missing Irish citizens who are described as being at "high risk."

The body of the first Irish victim, Ms Eilis Finnegan from Dublin, was identified in Krabi, Thailand last night.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, yesterday said the Government believed that 13 other Irish people were at "medium risk" in the aftermath of the disaster.

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Ireland's Ambassador to Thailand and Malaysia, Mr Dan Mulhall, remained in Krabi in southern Thailand last night with families seeking to find missing relatives.

The missing Irish at "high risk" are: Ms Lucy Coyle, Killiney, Dublin; Mr Conor Keightley, Co Tyrone; and Mr Michael Murphy from Co Wexford.

The Minister said the Government group will assess whether Irish troops could assist in the reconstruction and recovery work. The Taoiseach had made it clear that the Government was "more than willing to do anything that we can to help within our resources", he said

Ms Finnegan (27) had been holidaying on the nearby island of Phi Phi with her boyfriend, Mr Barry Murphy, when the tsunami struck. Last night her family issued a statement praising the "tireless efforts" of Mr Murphy, who had remained in Thailand to search for Ms Finnegan.