Postmortem due to take place on remains found in East Cork

A POSTMORTEM examination is due to take place tomorrow at Cork University Hospital on the skeletal remains discovered in East Cork today.

It is understood that gardaí are investigating if the remains are those of 47-year-old Kieran Quilligan, from Gurranabraher, who disappeared without trace from Cork city centre in September of last year.

The remains were discovered at a location in Rostellan and it is understood they were found by a search dog. DNA and dental records will be used to identify the deceased. It is suspected that the individual died violently.

Dr Margot Bolster, the assistant State pathologist, visited the scene today and is due to carry out a postmortem examination tomorrow, the results of which will determine the course of the investigation. A dedicated incident room has been set up at Bridewell Garda Station, and a family liaison officer remains in contact with the family of Mr Quilligan.

A spokesperson confirmed that gardaí from Anglesea St were involved in the operation and that skeletal remains were found. It is understood gardaí are investigating if the remains are those of Mr Quilligan.

Previous search

Gardaí attempting to trace his whereabouts previously combed fields and the shoreline in Little Island. They searched the Courtstown area of Little Island for Mr Quilligan, who was last seen on CCTV entering St Finbarr’s Place in Cork city on September 1 last having left Cork Simon’s shelter on Anderson’s Quay at around 8.30pm.

Superintendent Michael Comyns held a press conference in September and spoke about his concern for the safety and welfare of Mr Quilligan. Officers had examined CCTV footage and established that Mr Quilligan went up the steps at St Finbarr’s Place. They could find no sighting of him exiting the steps at the top of the place on to Fort St.

Supt Comyns previously urged members of the public with information on the missing Cork man to contact them.

He said Mr Quilligan left a premises on Anderson’s Quay with another male and came across Cork city centre with that male.

“We have tracked him on CCTV coming across the city centre to Sullivan’s Quay and then to St Finbarr’s Place. Our enquiries led us to interview a number of people and to carry out searches of this area. He was last seen where we are here at the moment on Proby’s Quay going into St Finbarr’s Place, and we have not been able to locate him since that time. It was approximately 9.15pm on Friday September 1.”

At the time of his disappearance, Mr Quilligan was wearing a black baseball cap, orange t-shirt, blue zip-up hooded jacket, blue Under Armour tracksuit pants, and black Nike runners. He was described as being of medium build, brown/grey hair and blue eyes, and approximately 5ft 7in in height.

Gardaí carried out door-to-door enquiries as part of their investigation into his disappearance. Forensic examinations were also undertaken and searches were made of gardens in the area. Gardaí also spoke to the man with whom Mr Quilligan left the Simon Community shelter in Cork.

Mr Quilligan hasn’t collected his social welfare or used his mobile phone since he went missing.