DAD APPEALS FOR NEWS OF MISSING TEEN
Dad appeals for news of missing teen
BY NIGEL MCDONAGH
THE worried father of a missing Drumquin teenager whose mother was killed in the Omagh bomb has issued a desperate appeal for information that may help establish the whereabouts of his son last seen in Omagh over a week ago.
Kevin Skelton last spoke to 19-year old Raymond around 11am on Monday November 5 outside the gates of Loreto Convent Grammar School. There have been no sightings or contact with his family since.
The ordeal is particularly traumatic for the Skelton family who tragically lost wife and mother Philomena in the Omagh bomb atrocity three years ago.
Mr Skelton has an inkling that his son may have gone to Dublin in search of work but is 'completely mystified' as to why Raymond has not been in contact with either his family or his girlfriend in more than a week.
He became particularly worried last weekend when Raymond didn't phone his girlfriend on her birthday. Mr Skelton then decided to call the police.
It is believed that Raymond stayed overnight with friends in Omagh the day before his disappearance. Since then his father has visited various pubs in the town that Raymond is known to frequent but to no avail.
Mr Skelton doesn't know the identity of the people his son was staying with in Omagh but would like them to contact him if they know anything that could put his mind at ease.
"I just want to know where Raymond is. It was not unusual for him to stay over in Omagh for a night's drinking but he always came back the next day and would never have been out of contact for so long.
"It is very worrying and all we want is to hear from Raymond so that we know he's OK or for some of his friends who may have an idea about where he is to contact me," said the distraught father.
"We have all had a difficult few years since the loss of Philomena and we just want Raymond to let us know that he's safe and well so we can stop worrying about him," he added.
Mr Skelton had only just returned from Romania on the Sunday that Raymond left his home in Drumquin's McCrea Park. He then bumped into Raymond by pure chance in Omagh the following Monday when he was leaving his daughter to school. Kevin said that although Raymond was carrying a bag, there was no indication that he intended to leave and he assured his father that he would be home that day.
Raymond has been out of work for a number of weeks and spoke of going to Dublin in search of employment the Friday before his disappearance. A local building contractor who Raymond was hoping to work for in Dublin says he has not seen him but Kevin hopes that his son may have found work elsewhere in the city.
"If he is in Dublin and looking for work then good luck to him but I just want him to get in touch and let us know that he's alright. It's the not knowing that's the worst of it and if anyone out there can put our minds at ease then I'd be very grateful," he said.
Raymond is described as of slim build and around 5ft 11' tall. When last seen he was wearing a blue shirt and dark trousers and carrying a small blue bag.
Police in Omagh are also anxious to trace his whereabouts and would like to speak to anyone who was in his company during the weekend prior to his disappearance or who may have seen him since. The number to phone is 028 82 246177.
Kevin would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen his son particularly those whom Raymond was socialising with or staying with in Omagh. Kevin can be contacted at 028 82831503.
BY NIGEL MCDONAGH
THE worried father of a missing Drumquin teenager whose mother was killed in the Omagh bomb has issued a desperate appeal for information that may help establish the whereabouts of his son last seen in Omagh over a week ago.
Kevin Skelton last spoke to 19-year old Raymond around 11am on Monday November 5 outside the gates of Loreto Convent Grammar School. There have been no sightings or contact with his family since.
The ordeal is particularly traumatic for the Skelton family who tragically lost wife and mother Philomena in the Omagh bomb atrocity three years ago.
Mr Skelton has an inkling that his son may have gone to Dublin in search of work but is 'completely mystified' as to why Raymond has not been in contact with either his family or his girlfriend in more than a week.
He became particularly worried last weekend when Raymond didn't phone his girlfriend on her birthday. Mr Skelton then decided to call the police.
It is believed that Raymond stayed overnight with friends in Omagh the day before his disappearance. Since then his father has visited various pubs in the town that Raymond is known to frequent but to no avail.
Mr Skelton doesn't know the identity of the people his son was staying with in Omagh but would like them to contact him if they know anything that could put his mind at ease.
"I just want to know where Raymond is. It was not unusual for him to stay over in Omagh for a night's drinking but he always came back the next day and would never have been out of contact for so long.
"It is very worrying and all we want is to hear from Raymond so that we know he's OK or for some of his friends who may have an idea about where he is to contact me," said the distraught father.
"We have all had a difficult few years since the loss of Philomena and we just want Raymond to let us know that he's safe and well so we can stop worrying about him," he added.
Mr Skelton had only just returned from Romania on the Sunday that Raymond left his home in Drumquin's McCrea Park. He then bumped into Raymond by pure chance in Omagh the following Monday when he was leaving his daughter to school. Kevin said that although Raymond was carrying a bag, there was no indication that he intended to leave and he assured his father that he would be home that day.
Raymond has been out of work for a number of weeks and spoke of going to Dublin in search of employment the Friday before his disappearance. A local building contractor who Raymond was hoping to work for in Dublin says he has not seen him but Kevin hopes that his son may have found work elsewhere in the city.
"If he is in Dublin and looking for work then good luck to him but I just want him to get in touch and let us know that he's alright. It's the not knowing that's the worst of it and if anyone out there can put our minds at ease then I'd be very grateful," he said.
Raymond is described as of slim build and around 5ft 11' tall. When last seen he was wearing a blue shirt and dark trousers and carrying a small blue bag.
Police in Omagh are also anxious to trace his whereabouts and would like to speak to anyone who was in his company during the weekend prior to his disappearance or who may have seen him since. The number to phone is 028 82 246177.
Kevin would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen his son particularly those whom Raymond was socialising with or staying with in Omagh. Kevin can be contacted at 028 82831503.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0859
Published Date: 15-Nov-01
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