Family hope car find will solve mystery of Corkman missing for nearly 20 years

Those who knew and loved Barry Coughlan - last seen in Crosshaven on May 1, 2004 - watched in the rain on Thursday as members of the Garda Sub Aqua Unit dived on the car found submerged off the village’s Hugh Coveney Pier

Garda divers search the water in Crosshaven, Cork following the discovery of a car believed to be linked to a person who has been missing for almost 20 years. Picture: Larry Cummins

The family and friends of a man who has been missing since 2004 hope the discovery of a car on the bed of the Owenabue river in Cork Harbour could help solve the mystery of his disappearance.

Those who knew and loved Barry Coughlan, 23, who was last seen in Crosshaven on May 1, 2004, watched in the rain on Thursday as members of the Garda Sub Aqua Unit dived on the car which was found submerged to the north-west of the village’s Hugh Coveney Pier on Wednesday.