There has been a tragic end to the search for Jeremiah Downing who had been reported missing on New Year’s DayJeremiah Downing(Image: An Garda Siochana)

Gardai have stood down the search for a man, who was reported missing from his Co Kerry home on New Year’s Day, following the discovery of a body.

The family of Jeremiah Downing, 72, reached out to An Garda Siochana to express concern for the well-being of the Sneem man, who had last been seen on the N70 road between Castlecove and Sneem at approximately 5pm on New Year’s Eve. Jeremiah had recently experienced a medical incident.

Gardai initially issued a missing persons appeal late last night, January 1, and renewed that appeal earlier this afternoon. They particularly appealed to farmers and landowners in the area to check their sheds, outbuildings or other remote buildings.

The missing persons appeal has now been withdrawn following the discovery of a body today, January 2.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said in a statement: “Following the discovery of a body of a male in Co. Kerry this afternoon, 2nd January 2026, and subsequent inquiries, the missing person appeal in respect of Jeremiah Downing (72) who was reported missing from his home in Sneem, Co. Kerry on Thursday 1st January 2026, has been stood down.”

For more of the latest breaking news from the Irish Mirror check out our homepage by clicking here