Gardaí seal off apartment in search for missing man

GARDAÍ sealed off an apartment in Cork last night amid growing concern for a missing man.

The move came just hours after they issued an appeal for the public’s help in tracing the whereabouts of John McManus, 25, who has been missing from his home in the Wellington Street area of the city since last week.

Forensic experts arrived at a flat on Wellington Road during the afternoon and began a detailed examination of the scene.

Gardaí declined to comment on reports that blood may have been found inside.

Senior officers insisted that they are still treating the matter as a missing person’s investigation and declined to comment further pending the outcome of the forensic tests.

Mr McManus, originally from Fermoy in north Cork, was last seen in the Mayfield area on Thursday. He has not contacted his family.

Gardaí said that they were becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of Mr McManus.

He is 5ft 8in, of slim build, with short, brown hair. When last seen, he was wearing black tracksuit bottoms, white runners and a light-blue hoodie. He was also unshaven.

There was speculation in the area last night that Mr McManus went missing after attending a party.

The young man suffered a brain injury in 1996 and developed problems with drugs and alcohol.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact gardaí at Watercourse Road on 021-455 8260.