News

Amy's clothing not found - Mother

Wednesday, 9 January 2008 20:56

The mother of missing Dublin teenager Amy Fitzpatrick has told a media conference that no clothing belonging to her missing daughter has so far been found in police searches.

Earlier reports suggested a pair of black leggings found in a ravine not far from where she was last seen might have been hers.

Amy's mother Audrey also told the media in Spain that she and her daughter were very close and it was unheard of for Amy not to have contacted her for so long.

The teenager went missing on New Year's Day, near her home in Fuengirola.

Police today stepped up their search which involves two helicopters, sniffer dogs, mapping experts from Madrid and a large team of police officers.

Amy Fitzpatrick disappeared while she was walking home from a friend's house on New Year's Day.

Her mother arrived at the scene of the search this morning and again issued an appeal for information.

Investigating police from the Guardia Civil are co-ordinating the search and are extending it to an area 12km in radius.

No civilians are being allowed to take part in the search.

Volunteers had been asked to gather at the Calla Mijes football pitch, which is beside the school that Amy previously attended.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has also offered consular assistance but that offer does not appear to have been taken up and no Irish official is present in Fuengirola.

Interpol has not been alerted and the gardaí also say that they have not received a request from the Spanish police for assistance and their liaison officer based in Madrid has not been asked to travel to the Costa del Sol.