Family of man missing in Cork renew appeal for help

The family of a Dublin man missing from Cork since August have issued an appeal to help bring him home for Christmas.

John Keaveney, 43, has been missing since he was last seen on CCTV footage in the early hours of the morning of Monday, August 21, in the vicinity of Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

His family says they can never repay the people of Cork for all of their kindness, but four months after John’s disappearance, they worry that he may have been confused the night he vanished and sought shelter.

Now, the focus of the search for John has extended beyond Cork city, and his family is appealing urgently to people to check gardens, lands, sheds, and outhouses.

John had been on holiday with his family in East Cork when he suffered an epileptic episode on Saturday, August 19, and an ambulance brought him to Cork University Hospital, where he was kept overnight.

John’s family believes he may have suffered a further epileptic episode during his time in CUH, but he discharged himself from the hospital the next day, Sunday, August 20.

The last definite sighting of John is about 1.30am on Monday, August 21 by the Circle K petrol station on Centre Park Rd.

Approximately 15 minutes later, CCTV footage caught an indistinct figure walking past Páirc Uí Chaoimh, heading down the greenway.

A further, unconfirmed sighting was reported in the vicinity of Cork Airport at approximately 3.45am, but John has not been seen in the four months since.

On Sunday last, a special Mass was held for John and his family in the Cork Penny Dinners Croí na Laoi Wellness Centre, and afterwards John’s uncle Cathal, who has been based in Cork since John went missing, told The Echo it was completely out of character for John to disappear, and John’s family was desperate to find him.

“John is married to a beautiful wife, Adrienne, and they have three beautiful young children,” he said. “They miss John awfully.

“We do feel John, because of his reaction to his epileptic episodes, may still be out there, disoriented, and not know we are looking for him.

“We’re just appealing to people if they saw anyone who looks like John to get in touch with us on the dedicated number, 083-4622598, or to contact the gardaí.”

John Keaveney is described as being 5ft 9in in height, of slim build, with brown eyes and a bald head.

When last seen, John was wearing a pair of navy trousers, a grey Umbro hoodie with the Irish soccer FAI logo, and white runners with multi-coloured piping.

He was also wearing a black-and-white leather bracelet and a linked silver necklace.

“Volunteers like Caitríona Twomey and everyone at Cork Penny Dinners, everyone in Cork Missing Persons, everyone in Mallow Search and Rescue, An Garda Síochána, everyone who has helped us, they will be forever in our hearts,” said Mr Keaveney.

“The search still goes on, and we are appealing to the people of Cork to help us bring John home for Christmas.”

The Garda Press Office confirmed yesterday that the missing person appeal for John Keaveney remains active. Anyone with information on John’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111 or any Garda station, or to phone John’s family on 083-4622598.