'It’s about keeping a light on for John': Family of missing man thank people of Cork

The family of missing Oasis superfan John Keaveney have thanked the people of Cork for the kindness shown them through their two-year ordeal.

Dubliner John, a 43-year-old IT specialist, was last seen on CCTV footage in the early hours of Monday, August 21, 2023, in the vicinity of Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

John and his wife Adrienne had been on holiday in Castlemartyr with their three young daughters when John suffered an epileptic episode on Saturday, August 19, and an ambulance brought him to Cork University Hospital (CUH), where he was kept overnight.

It is thought that he may have suffered a further epileptic episode at CUH, leaving him disoriented, and although CUH had wanted to keep John for a second night, on the Sunday, for further tests, he left the hospital.

John went to Wilton Shopping Centre and purchased telephone charging leads, before heading into Cork city centre, where he may have visited some outlets to recharge his phone. He may still have been wearing a hospital wristband.

Later that Sunday evening, he briefly powered up his phone, and contact was made with his family, who booked him a room in Isaac’s Hotel, with the intention of collecting him there.

However, John never checked in.

The last definite sighting of John was about 1am on Monday, August 21, by the Circle K garage on Centre Park Road, where he appeared to be confused.

Approximately 20 minutes later, CCTV footage caught an indistinct figure walking past Páirc Uí Chaoimh, heading down the nearby greenway.

Despite extensive searches over the past two years, no trace of John has been found.

John’s loved ones have never stopped looking and have recently expanded their search to the United Kingdom.

John’s uncle, Cathal Keaveney, told The Echo that John had made untold visits to Cork for concerts, and it was in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, when he was 16, that he had first seen his favourite band, Oasis.

“John has seen Oasis more than 70 times, between the band itself and Noel and Liam, and he was at the gig in Paris when they broke up in 2009, where he managed to get the playlist off the roadies,” he said.

“John travelled all over the world, meeting fans and talking about music. It’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that he might, in his disorientation, have travelled to the UK.

“Perhaps someone has spoken to a man they only know as John the Music Fan, not realising that he’s missing and has a wife and three children desperate to know where he is.” All through the two years John has been missing, his uncle said, the people of Cork have kept faith, and never forgotten him.

“The gardaí, Mallow Search and Rescue, Cork City Missing Persons, Caitríona Twomey and everyone in Cork Penny Dinners, the media, the public, they have all been so supportive from the very beginning,” he said.

“We keep searching. As Adrienne says, it’s about keeping a light on for John.” 

John Keaveney is described as being 5’9”, of slim build, with brown eyes and bald.

When last seen, he was wearing a pair of navy trousers, a grey Umbro hoodie that had the Irish soccer logo, and multicoloured trainers.

Anyone with information on John’s whereabouts is asked to contact Anglesea Street Garda Station on 021 452 2000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.