Updated: Wednesday, 10th February, 2010 4:51pm

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40 Civil Defence personnel join rescue services in river search

Meath Civil Defence members prepare to search for missing Johnstown resident Ana Larkina on Saturday morning.

More than 40 volunteers from Meath Civil Defence together with local Gardai, Meath River Rescue personnel and the Coastguard took part in an extensive search of the Boyne and its banks between Stackallen and Donore on Saturday for missing Johnstown resident, Ana Larkina. Ms Larkina (50), who is originally from Lithuania, disappeared from her home in Johnstown almost three months ago and there have been no sightings of her since.

Searches were also carried out by the River Rescue and the Gardai water unit and dog unit last week but no trace has been found of the missing lady. On Saturday of last week, another intensive search took place between Navan and Stackallen but without any success.

Ever since Ms Larkina's disappearance on 15th November, the Civil Defence has been carrying out regular searches, and River Rescue crews have been on the Boyne almost daily. However, despite the exhaustive searches and an appeal on RTE's 'Crimecall' two weeks ago, no new information has come to light.

Ms Larkina had been living in Ireland for a number of years and moved to Navan last summer summer from Dunboyne. She is believed to have left her home at Chestnut Hall, Old Johnstown, between 8.30am and 10am on that Sunday morning.

Ms Larkina is described as being 5'5" to 5'7" in height, of slight build, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a long cream coat, navy tracksuit bottoms with a light blue stripe down the side, and a dark-coloured polo-neck. It is understood she had no mobile phone or no access to money.

Water levels were high on the Boyne at the time of Ms Larkina's disappearance but have since receded. Searches have been continuing along the Boyne covering the same ground in the hope that some trace of her will be found. However, it is understood that parts of the Boyne, particularly further towards Donore, are quite inaccessible.