Gardaí search for missing man on the shoreline of Little Island 

GARDAÍ who are attempting to trace a 47-year-old man who went missing earlier this month have begun searching fields and the shoreline in Little Island, Co Cork.

Officers were searching in the Courtstown area of Little Island today for Kieran Quilligan who was last seen on CCTV entering St Finbarr’s Place in Cork City on September 1 having left Cork Simon’s shelter on Anderson’s Quay at around 8.30pm. He was in the company of another man. It is understood gardaí received information which led them to carry out the extensive search yesterday.

Last Sunday, Deputy Superintendent Mick Comyns held a press conference where he spoke about his deep concern for the safety and welfare of Mr Quilligan.

Officers examined CCTV footage from the area and established that Mr Qulligan went up the steps at St Finbarr’s Place. However, gardaí could find no sighting of him exiting the steps at the top of the place on to Fort St.

Det Supt Comyns previously issued a public appeal to Mr Quilligan to make contact with his loved ones, friends or gardaí. He also urged members of the public who may have information to contact them.

“My appeal is firstly to Kieran himself. If he sees this appeal we would ask him to contact his family, his friends or an Garda Síochána to let us know he is safe and well. He has gone completely off the radar. That is unusual.

“I am also appealing to any member of the public who was in this area on Friday, September 1, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm even if they feel they have nothing to provide to the gardaí, I want them to contact us.

“That’s anyone who may have been in St Finbarr’s Place, Proby’s Quay, and Fort St during those times on that Friday.”

At the time of his disappearance Kieran was wearing a black baseball cap, orange tee-shirt, blue zip-up hooded jacket, blue Under Armour tracksuit pants and black Nike runners.

He is described as being of medium build, brown/grey hair and blue eyes and approximately 5ft7 inches in height. He has a large tattoo on the side of his head.

Det Supt Comyns explained that they cannot trace Kieran from when he entered St Finbarr’s Place.

“He entered St Finbarr’s Place and we cannot track him from there.” Kieran was captured on CCTV entering St Finbarr’s Place on a pedestrianised street which leads on to Fort Street.

Gardaí have carried out door to door enquiries in the area. Forensic examinations have also been undertaken and searches have been made of gardens in the area in addition to the grounds of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.

Gardaí have also spoken to the man with whom Kieran left the Simon Community shelter on Anderson's Quay in Cork.

Det Supt Comyns said people go missing for “various reasons".

“Maybe just wanting to get away from whatever is going on in their lives, so firstly we are appealing to Kieran and after that to the public. Kieran doesn’t leave this area. We are very sure about that, so we just need to talk to Kieran himself or anyone who can give us any information.

"This area has been extensively searched and nothing has been found.” 

Mr Quilligan has not collected his social welfare or used his mobile phone since he went missing. The investigation in relation to the disappearance of Mr Quilligan is being coordinated from an incident room at the Bridewell garda station in Cork city centre.

A liaison officer has been appointed to the family of the missing man.

Anyone with any information on Kieran's whereabouts is asked to contact the Bridewell Garda station on 021 4943330, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.