Thirty-four people who were reported missing to the Garda in 2010 are still unaccounted for, Metro Éireann has learned.
According to Garda figures, seven of those missing are under the age of 18.
“The nationality recorded is Irish in 17 cases. The remaining 17 have a variety of nationalities recorded,” said a Garda spokesperson.
The figures released by An Garda Síochána show that a total of 8, 339 people were reported missing in 2010 – 590 people more than the total number of missing persons reports in 2009.
Over the last five years, gardaí say 38,871 persons were reported missing across the country. Out of that number, 7,980 people were missing in 2008, 7,992 in 2007, and 6,811 in 2006.
Although figures for 2011 are not yet available, Metro Éireann understands that many immigrants have been reported missing this year.
On a list of current missing persons on the Garda website, at least four of the six featured are believed to be non-Irish nationals.
One whose full nationality was established is Li Huan, a Chinese national who has been missing since 22 May 2011. The 17-year-old Chinese woman is said to be 1.47cm tall and has slight build body and brown hair.
Others with an immigrant background include Tina Saheeb who gardaI say went missing from Dublin’s Eden Quay area on 27 May 2011. Tina is 1.67cm in height, with a slim build and brown hair.
Another person is Sazzadd Alam, who has a sleight body and dark hair. He is 1.70cm tall and has been missing since 2 May 2011.
Adam Khan Al Kozai is also missing since 25 April. The Garda website says he is about 6.2 feet and has dark hair, and also has a mole on his left cheek.
Anyone with information about missing persons can contact the Missing Persons Helpline on 1890 442 552 or e-mail info@missingpersons.ie
