A candlelit vigil and prayer service has been held in Listowel for the safe return of local travel agent John Kennelly (47), who went missing in Paris over three weeks ago.
Over 1,200 people signed a book of solidarity and support during the two-hour ceremony at St Mary's Church this week for the owner of Kennelly Travel in Market Street, Listowel.
Mr Kennelly a married man and father of three, was last seen leaving his hotel the Meridien Etoile, Porte Maillot, at 7am on September 9th.
He had told his family he was going for a walk.
He had travelled to France with his wife Marie and two of his children to attend a trade fair related to his wife's furniture business and the family was due to return home later that evening.
Several local people have travelled to Paris to help in the search.However, no trace of him has been found.
An appeal to rugby fans last weekend also failed to elicit any sign. Travel agents have also circulated pictures of Mr Kennelly who is bald, 1.78m (5ft 10in) tall and weighs 95.25kg (210lbs).
Fr Donal O'Connor, who led the prayers in Listowel's St Mary's parish church, said: "The big thing the Kennelly family want is closure . . . The level of support shown by the community is heartening and greatly appreciated by the family."
He asked for prayers for the family "at a very difficult time". Messages of support had been sent from all around the world, the priest said.
Mr Kennelly's eldest child Eoin (21) attended the ceremony. His wife Marie and daughter Claire (18) are understood to be in Paris at the moment searching for him. A third child Eliza (7) is being cared for at home.
According to a statement released by the family solicitor shortly after his disappearance, Mr Kennelly was on medication for high blood pressure, but did not take his medication with him when he went for the early morning walk.
He is a member of the rotary and rugby clubs in Listowel as well as the boy scout organisation.