Gardaí say they are hopeful of discovering the remains of a man who was abducted in Kerry 25 years ago.

A search for Charles Brooke Pickard has been taking place today at a remote forest some 20 kilometres from Waterville.

The 42-year-old was last seen shortly before midday on April 26th, 1991, in Castlecove.

He was abducted and driven away in his van by a number of men, leaving behind a wife and four young children. 

Gardaí are digging close to where his van, an English-registered blue Ford Transit, was found burnt out in Shronaloughnane Forest.

The site is located off the Waterville/Ballaghisheen Road.

Mr Brooke Pickard was originally from Leeds in the United Kingdom, but set up home with his family in Kerry.

Members of the Defence Forces are assisting in the operation, and an anthropologist has been consulted.

The search is expected to last at least a week and Mr Brooke Pickard’s family are being kept updated.   

Superintendent Flor Murphy told Radio Kerry that his abduction had been clearly planned.