Kelly has been missing since he left his home on Sunday 23 April to babysit his eight-month-old son.

Kelly, who had a previous conviction for car theft, has been listed as a Category A missing person. Gardai admit they have no leads. A search of the local river last week provided no new evidence.

An unconfirmed sighting of Kelly in the Daly's Cross area on the night he disappeared is still being investigated.

For his mother, Mary Kelly, the five-week wait has been "heartbreaking. . . I never knew my world could change in just one night, but since he went missing it has been unbearable. It's not knowing where he is, or how he is, that's the worst part of it. The last five weeks seem to have lasted for five years. Even when he was in trouble he would always call me. He said he could tell me anything."

She has bought her son a gold chain for his birthday today. "I just want him home.

If he would walk back in the door it would be his best birthday ever."