Number of Irish people unaccounted for falls
Wednesday, 29 December 2004 22:46
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, has said that the number of Irish people unaccounted for after the disaster in southern Asia has fallen.
Concern remains for about 20 Irish nationals holidaying in the region whose families have not heard from them.
The minister also said that Ireland's aid had been doubled, bringing the Government's contribution to ¤2 million.
Earlier, Mr Ahern's department said telecommunication problems were hampering attempts to establish the status of the missing Irish.
Two Dublin women, who were travelling separately, in the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand, are missing. According to reports the women are 27-year-old Eileesh Finnegan from Ballyfermot and Lucy Coyle.
Irish diplomatic staff in Malaysia and Thailand are continuing to visit hospitals in the region to establish the whereabouts of Irish people who remain unaccounted for.
The Irish Ambassador to Thailand, Dan Mulhall, has been leading a team to check hospitals and government agencies in the region for word on Irish visitors.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is continuing to operate a helpline number on (01) 408 2308.
Information regarding missing people in Thailand is available at www.ceronsoftware.com/phuket and www.missing.go.th.
Meanwhile, this morning four Irish women arrived back at Dublin airport from Thailand where they escaped the tsunamis on Koh Phi Phi with minor injuries.
Big Irish response to donation appeals
Aid agencies have said that there has been big response from Irish people to appeals for donations to help the homeless victims of the disaster.
Trocaire said ¤500,000 has so far been raised and up to ¤130,000 has also been donated to the Irish Red Cross.
- News At One: Michelle Downey-Simpson reports from Dublin Airport where four Irish women arrived home safely from the devastated Island of Phi Phi in Thailand
- News At One: Freelance journalist Anita Whooley has details of the disaster and two Irish women who are missing from Phi Phi Island in Thailand
- News At One: Journalist Stephen Fleay has details from Indonesia where the death toll has reached 36,000
- Morning Ireland: Charlie Bird, Chief News Correspondent, has further details from the south coast of Sri Lanka and describes the immediate need for food and clean water
- Morning Ireland: Dr Roger Musson of the British Geological Survey discusses the cause of the quake and subsequent tsunamis and the lack of an early warning
- Morning Ireland: Malika Brown of Global Radio News reports on the disaster from Krabi in Thailand
- Morning Ireland: Charlie Bird, Chief News Correspondent, is witnessing the rescue and aid operation in Sri Lanka
- 9 News: Tommie Gorman, Northern Editor, details a campaign in Belfast to raise money for the humanitarian effort in Asia
- 9 News: Anthony Murnane reports on the emotional return from Thailand of four Irish women at Dublin Airport this morning
- 6.1 News: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, discusses the amount of Irish people still unaccounted for in southern Asia as well as the Government's aid contribution
- 6.1 News: Tommie Gorman, Northern Editor, reports on a campaign in Belfast to raise money for victims of the tsunamis
- 6.1 News: Anthony Murnane reports on the emotional scenes at Dublin Airport this morning as four young Irish women returned safely from their terrifying holiday in Thailand
