THE father of a Dublin boy who was found safe and well last night after failing to return home from school has thanked the local community for their "amazing" help.
Liam Goodwin, 12, was reported missing on Monday afternoon after leaving Holy Family Community School in his native Rathcoole.
A massive search involving the Civil Defence and members of the public was launched following an online appeal by the first-year student's dad.
Jamie Goodwin returned to Twitter after Liam was located last night to express his gratitude to everyone who assisted in the search for his son.
"Liam is home safe and well. God bless you for helping," Jamie wrote.
Liam is home safe and well. God bless you for helping
— Jamie Goodwin (@jimgoody71) 29 April 2019
"Thank you so much to all the community in Rathcoole who helped in the search. You will never how much it meant to me & my family. God bless you all.
"I cannot again express my gratitude enough to everyone on here who shared information and helped in the search to bring Liam home. You have been amazing. Liam tucked up in bed safe, thanks to you all. You have my family's love eternally. Thank you".
I cannot again express my gratitude enough to everyone on here who shared information and helped in the search to bring Liam home. You have been amazing. Liam tucked up in bed safe, thanks to you all. You have my family's love eternally. Thank you
— Jamie Goodwin (@jimgoody71) 30 April 2019
Gardaí also thanked the public for their assistance and said that no further action is required.
A Garda spokesperson said: "Liam has been located safe and well and has been reunited with his family, An Garda Síochána and Liam’s family would like to thank each and every person who shared the post on social media, the Civil Defence and all the members of the public who assisted."
Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy added that the successful appeal shows "how powerful social media can be when used in the right way".
**UPDATE**
Liam has been located safe and well and has been reunited with his family, An Garda Síochána and Liam’s family would like to thank each & every person who shared the post on social media, the Civil Defence and all the members of the public who assisted— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) 29 April 2019
He said: "I would like to sincerely thank everyone in Rathcoole and the surrounding community for their wonderful response to our call for assistance this evening in finding Liam.
"The people of Rathcoole can be extremely proud of their community and their response this evening.
"I also want to thank everyone throughout the country who shared the information on the various social media platforms. Tonight showed how powerful social media can be when used in the right way.
"I also want to thank Sergeant Mark Gallagher and Inspector Ronan Barry for co-ordinating the community effort and the support units such as Air Support, Roads Policing and our control centre.
"Liam is home and safe with his family, thanks to all your work. Well done and sleep well."
