Search for missing Cork man Kieran Quilligan in Little Island halted
Members of the Garda divisional crime scene investigation unit at the search site for Kieran Quilligan at Courtstown Industrial Estate, Little Island, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan
An extensive search for a missing Cork man which involved draining slurry pits and combing farmland and coastline for clues has been halted though the investigation continues.
Kieran Quilligan, 47, was last seen on CCTV entering St Finbarr’s Place, next to St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork city on September 1 but he could not be seen leaving, gardaí said.
They say they cannot rule out foul play in the case.
An investigation led gardaí and the coastguard to a major search of coastline and fields next to Courtstown Industrial Estate in Little Island, some 16k from where Mr Quilligan was last seen in Cork city.
After 11 days of intensive searches the search was called off on Tuesday.
Gardaí have serious concerns for Mr Quilligan’s wellbeing and have called for the public to come forward with any information that may aid in the search.
His family kept vigil by the search site in Little Island.
Mr Quilligan, who is from the Gurranabraher area of Cork city, was homeless at the time of his disappearance.
He had left Cork Simon’s shelter on Anderson’s Quay at around 8.30pm on September 1. He was with another man at the time who gardaí subsequently spoke to.
Mr Quilligan was last seen on CCTV walking up the steps of St Finbarr’s Place but he was not seen leave the pedestrianised street.
Despite a garda search of the area, including of a derelict house on St Finbarr’s Place, no signs of Mr Quilligan were found.
A garda source said that although it would be possible to leave St Finbarr’s Place without being picked up by CCTV cameras, it would not be easy and would likely take some effort to deliberately avoid cameras in the area.
No activity has been detected on Mr Quilligan’s phone since September 1.
