Weather hampers search for missing student

GARDAÍ have released the last known images of Cork student, Joseph Mullally, captured just moments before he vanished two weeks ago.

The grainy photographs of the 20-year-old from Innishannon, captured by CCTV cameras on the city’s Washington Street, show Joseph walking west out of the city in the early hours of Friday, December 15.

Despite a massive and sustained search, he has not been seen since.

Bad weather hampered the water-based search yesterday.

But hundreds of volunteers continued land searches in the lower harbour area.

Strong winds and choppy seas prevented boats from searching the harbour around Cobh and Monkstown.

A search spokesman said volunteers concentrated their efforts along the low water mark for one hour either side of morning and evening low tide.

He also appealed for landowners in the harbour area to search their land.

And if Joseph isn’t found before next Thursday — 21 days since his disappearance — the search will be scaled up again, he said.

“His family are bearing up well. But they just want to bring him home,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Cork, Dr John Buckley, asked for prayers to be said for Mr Mullally.

Bishop Buckley contacted the Mullally family before Christmas to offer them his support and prayers.

“This is such a sad and worrying time for the family, made worse by the fact that it is happening at this time of the year,” he said.

“We must all pray that Joe will be found safe and well. It is also a great testament to his popularity that so many people have given their time to take part in the search.”

Gardaí based in the city have been specifically tasked to coordinate the search.

They have been joined by a group of amateur divers from Innishannon, Kilmacsimon Rowing Club, Valley Rovers GAA club and friends of the Mullallys.

Mr Mullally, who was working for an Innishannon builder while on a year out from the CIT, has been missing since Friday,

December 15.

He had been socialising with some friends at An Bróg pub on Oliver Plunkett Street. He decided to stay in the pub when his friends left at around 1.30am.

He was wearing brown suede trainers, dark blue jeans, a beige cord jacket with a lambswool neck and a dark blue T-shirt.

He has mouse blond gelled hair, is six feet tall and of medium slim build.

He has two piercings, a stud and bar over his left eyebrow and a hoop in his left ear.