Missing woman found in London

A WOMAN who was missing for over a week was recovering in hospital last night after being found safe and well in London on Christmas Eve.

But the search for Joseph Mullally, 20, who also went missing from Cork last Friday week, resumed at first light yesterday.

Breda Morrissey, 48, was last seen at her home in Lotamore Avenue in Mayfield, Cork, on December 15.

Massive searches of Cork, Waterford and Dublin mounted by her family, and co-ordinated by Mayfield gardaí in Cork, failed to trace her. Interpol was alerted on Saturday and Ms Morrissey was found wandering in London city centre on Christmas Eve.

Following contact between Mayfield gardaí, British police and immigration officials, arrangements were made to fly Ms Morrissey from Heathrow to Dublin that evening. She was met by tearful and relieved family members.

She was in poor physical condition after days of wandering. She was weak and had lost a lot of weight.

She was likely to remain in hospital for several days.

But her brother-in-law, Tom O’Connell, said she would make a full recovery.

“We’re all delighted she’s home. She was in poor physical condition but that’s all being taken care of now,” he said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped in any way over the last week.”

He singled out Sergeant Mary Cadogan of Mayfield Garda Station for her efforts.

Meanwhile, dozens of boats were back on the river Lee at first light as the search resumed for Mr Mullally.

The 20-year-old Cork Institute of Technology student from Innishannon, Co Cork, has been missing since the early hours of December 15.

He was last seen at An Bróg pub on Oliver Plunkett Street about 1.30am.

He was recorded by CCTV cameras a short time later walking west along Washington Street. He has not been seen since.

Garda searches involving the underwater unit and sniffer dogs got underway at 2pm.

Anyone with information should contact Togher Garda Station on telephone: [phone].

Meanwhile, gardaí were investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of an elderly woman’s body in Cork on Christmas Day.

Fire crews recovered the body of the woman from the River Lee close to Blackrock Castle at about 2pm.

Her identity had not been released last night.