"Our thoughts are with Dean's family" - Another birthday passes for missing Kilkenny man

Yesterday was the birthday of Kilkenny man Dean Roche, who has been missing now for more than eight years.

The National Missing Persons Helpline have issued a statement of remembrance to mark the day.

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"We remember Dean Roche whose birthday occurs on October 18," they said.

"Dean went missing from Kilkenny on March 22, 2015. Our thoughts are with Dean's family."

Earlier this year, gardaí at Kilkenny Garda Station issued a fresh appeal for information.

Dean, from Hebron Park in Kilkenny City, lived there at the time with his mother.

On that Sunday morning, he left the house and told his mother he was going to be buying a car and would see her later.

Dean then travelled to the Ballyfoyle area of Kilkenny by taxi where he purchased a car at approximately 7pm.

This vehicle was found crashed a short distance away.

Dean spoke to a number of locals after the crash and his last known sighting was at approximately 9.15pm.

This is a rural part of County Kilkenny and Gardaí have searched a vast amount of the Ballyfoyle area with assistance from the Army and Regional Support Units.

A number of searches have been carried out with the assistance of the Garda Search Unit, Garda Dog Unit, Garda Water Unit and the Army.

A red Manchester United woolen hat, believed to be Dean’s, was found during the searches.

Dean is described as being five foot eight inches in height, of slight build with green eyes and short brown hair.

He was wearing a black zip up tracksuit top and bottoms with white runners.

Dean's family are still without answers and the investigation remains open.

If you can assist in any way please call Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 7775000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.