Garda divers were continuing their search yesterday for missing Galway woman Bláthnaid Timothy who was last seen in the Howth area of Co Dublin more than three weeks ago.
Following repeated appeals investigating gardai received a breakthrough at the weekend when the taxi driver who had picked up the 33-year-old Glenamaddy woman before she went missing made contact with them. CCTV footage had shown Miss Timothy using her ATM to withdraw €60 at the National Irish Bank on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay on Dublin’s south quays at 8pm on December 14 before she crossed the road and got into a taxi. The footage further showed that the taxi that had picked her up was a black Mercedes vehicle. However despite gardai obtaining this knowledge it took several days and a large scale appeal by the National Taxi Drivers’ Association before the driver was traced. According to reports the driver fully co-operated with gardai and informed them that he had dropped Ms Timothy off at Harbour Road at around 8.30pm that night.
Garda divers have this week been carrying out extensive searches around the East Pier in Howth with the assistance of volunteers. At time of going to press yesterday, the garda press office confirmed the search continues and the case is ongoing.
Reports have said that Ms Timothy, who had worked for Coca-Cola and KPMG, left her apartment in Camden Street, Dublin, without her phone and handbag. When her family and friends had not heard from her for a number of days she was reported missing on December 17 and details of her description were circulated. She is described as being 167.6cm (5ft 6in ) tall, of thin build and pale complexion, with medium length dark brown hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a three-quarter length black wool coat, grey jeans and a black and red scarf when last seen.
Anybody with information is asked to contact Harcourt Terrace Garda station on 01- 666 9500.