Large-scale search for missing UCC student

A large-scale search is underway in Cork today for a 19-year-old UCC student.

Brían Ó Tuama, from Ballyvourney, has not been seen since 1.40am yesterday morning, when he met a friend outside MacDonald’s fast food outlet on Daunt Square in the city centre.

He had earlier been on a night out in Kinsale with students from UCC. After arriving back in Cork city, he went to Gorby’s niteclub on Oliver Plunkett Street.

He lives in an apartment in the Victoria Cross area but did not turn up there yesterday.

Today, his worried brother Colmán said his friends tried to contact him all day yesterday, but that his phone was turned off.

They raised the alarm yesterday evening and gardaí are now examining CCTV footage and carrying out searches around the city.

This morning, his parents and four siblings joined up to 40 friends and neighbours from Ballyvourney in Cork city to search for the Second Year Arts student.

Naval divers were due to join the search this afternoon, while dogs who can pick up human scents were also being enlisted.

Colmán appealed to Brían this morning: “Make contact and get in touch, let us know you are OK.”

He also appealed to anybody who had seen his brother to come forward and let them know that he was alright. He said his brother had never disappeared before and had been home in Ballyvourney last weekend.

Brían is 6ft tall and of thin build.

When last seen, he was wearing a grey Abercrombie hooded top and blue jeans.

A search of the river Lee was also due to get underway today.

Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí in Anglesea Street on [phone].

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper.