THREE lakes were searched yesterday by gardaí investigating the disappearance of a father-of-four 18 years ago.
Tony Lynch from Magheraveely, Co Fermanagh had moved to a flat in Clones two months before he went missing on Sunday, January 6 2002.
The 54-year-old was last seen on walking along Fermanagh Street in Clones, Cou Monaghan, with his family raising the alarm when he did not turn up for work.
His white Mitsubishi Gallant car registration number TIL 4670 also disappeared and has never been traced and Mr Lynch did not appear to have taken any of his belongings with him.
Thhe vehicle was last seen at around 11pm on January 12 2002, travelling north on the Dublin to Newry road.
Gardaí said they were starting their search at Gortnawhinney Lough near Clones and later moved to Drum Lough, around 10 miles away and later nearby Long Lough.
They said advancements in drone and sonar technology in the period since Mr Lynch went missing had led them to attempt the searches, with up to 16 lakes in the area as well as flooded quarries earmarked for examination and further searches in Fermanagh under consideration over the next tow weeks.
If anything is detected sub aqua units will take over the examination.
The cross-border operation had a member of the PSNI at the sites while officers searched alongside 18 members of the Civil Defence from Meath, Monaghan and Cavan.
Detectives appealed to anyone with information to contact them.
