Search for missing Offaly man Luke Price centred around Limerick wetlands

David Raleigh

A land and water search took place, Thursday as part of a Garda investigation into the whereabouts of a missing man who was last seen alive in Limerick City almost four months ago.

Luke Price (27), originally from Geashill, Co Offaly, travelled from his home in Portlaoise to Limerick on January 14th last, and he has not been seen alive since.

Gardaí, along with members of the Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue Service and Civil Defence, conducted a search along a stretch of wetlands located off the Condell Road, Limerick City, on Thursday.

It is understood the search, which started at the wetlands area on Wednesday, is being conducted on foot of information received by An Garda Síochána in respect of CCTV footage of Mr Price’s last known movements.

A canine unit was also assisting the search close to the banks of the River Shannon, Limerick.

Last month family and friends of Mr Price put up posters with his photograph and details of the missing persons case, near Thursday’s search site.

“He’s deeply, deeply missed, and he is loved and deserving of all the love in the world, and we just need him to come home,” Pauline Price, Luke’s mother, stated in a recent interview with Midlands 103fm.

In a previous social media post, Pauline said: "Luke is well known in scouting communities in Portlaoise, Tullamore, Clara, Mountmellick and Edenderry. He's a chef. He's himself, a lovely, kind and resourceful young man when he's well. He has survival skills, but didn't go prepared, as far as we know. Please help us find him."

In a statement Thursday, a garda spokeswoman said: “Gardaí are carrying out searches in Limerick City as part of an ongoing missing persons investigation.”

On the day he went missing, Mr Price arrived off a train at Colbert Station, Limerick, he socialised in the city, and he went to O’Curry Street with a friend.

He was last seen alive leaving O’Curry Street and heading in the direction of Dock Road, Limerick.

Several previous searches, involving Mr Price’s family, Tipperary Search and Rescue Service, the R115 Coast Guard helicopter, Valentina Coast Guard, Marine Rescue, Civil Defence and Gardai, have not turned up anything of an evidential nature as to Mr Price’s whereabouts.

Mr Price is described as approximately 5’10”, slight build, with blue eyes, and brown shoulder-length hair with bleached ends.

He was last seen wearing a black jacket, pink t-shirt with a purple design on front of it, dark coloured knitted jumper and black boots.

Anyone with information can contact Henry Street Garda, Limerick on 061-212400, the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111 or any garda station.