GARDAÍ will today continue their search of the Wicklow mountains for a man they fear was abducted two-and-a-half months ago.

Stephen O'Meara (26), a father of three from Rosehill in Wicklow, has not been seen since he went to meet a group of men near his home on 6 August. O'Meara is known to gardaí. Detectives believe he may have been abducted.

"Stephen was a nice guy, with three kids and a partner. We are just hoping that if he is found, if it is fatal, that he can meet his maker," his father John said shortly after his disappearance.

The Wicklow garda divisional search team assisted by the garda mounted unit, civil defence and mountain rescue volunteers yesterday searched a number of forest and mountainous locations in the Redcross area.

O'Meara is described as 6ft 2in with an athletic build and sandy coloured receding hair. He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms with a blue Manchester United crest, a dark grey Nike zip-up tracksuit top, a tee-shirt with a red stripe across the chest, and a pair of black and white Nike Air Max runners. He was also wearing a gold chain.

Any one with information is asked to contact Wicklow garda station on 0404 60140 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.