Specialist scent-tracking dogs are being used in the search for a missing middle-aged man who gardaí admitted they now have mounting safety fears for.
An extensive search of scrubland and coastline at Little Island on the outskirts of Cork city is being examined for a third day after gardaí received specific intelligence in their four week search for Kieran Quilligan (47).
Mr Quilligan vanished on September 1 last in Cork city centre and Gardaí admitted they now have serious fears for his safety and welfare.
On Friday, Garda search teams commenced an operation in the Little Island area, some 10km from the city centre.
It continued on Saturday and resumed on Sunday as Garda sources said the intelligence they received is believed to be both credible and accurate.
The Courtstown area of Little Island was the focus of the search operation which involved both scrubland behind industrial plants and parts of the shoreline of Cork’s upper harbour.
Gardaí are using specially trained scent-tracking dogs.
Detectives remained tight lipped as to the reason for the search but it is understood the Courtstown area was targeted after the receipt of specific intelligence this week following a public appeal for information on his whereabouts.
Mr Quilligan vanished on September 1 and, after appeals for information on his whereabouts, Gardaí admitted they are now “very concerned for (his) safety and well-being.”
Gardaí set up an incident room at Angelsea Street Garda Station and issued a special public appeal for information.
Detectives stressed that they are still treating the matter as a missing person investigation.
Gardaí have interviewed a man last seen on CCTV security camera footage with Mr Quilligan in Cork city centre – and are hoping to trace all vehicles driven along Proby’s Quay by St Finbarr’s Place in Cork city centre on the evening of September 1 amid growing concerns that the 47 year old may have been driven out of the area.
Detective Superintendent Mick Comyns said CCTV has played a key role in the Garda investigation to date – and detectives are hoping that dash-cam footage may now give them a critical breakthrough in their search for Mr Quilligan’s whereabouts.
“I am very concerned for Kieran’s safety and wellbeing,” he said.
Det Supt Comyns confirmed that Gardaí have interviewed a number of people in respect of Mr Quilligan’s disappearance and have now appealed for public assistance for their investigation.
“He left a premises on Anderson’s Quay on September 1 with another male and came across Cork city centre with that male,” he said.
“We have tracked him on CCTV coming across the city centre to Sullivan’s Quay and then to Proby’s Quay and St Finbarr’s Place.”
“Our inquiries led us to interview a number of people and to carry out searches in this area.”
Mr Quilligan was reported missing shortly after September 1 2023 when his family and friends were unable to contact him.
The last known movement of Mr Quilligan is of him entering St Finbarr’s Place, off Proby’s Quay.
It is not known how Mr Quilligan left St Finbarr’s Place – though Gardaí suspect he may have been driven from the area.
There has been no further sighting of Mr Quilligan.
Gardaí are urging any motorist or taxi driver who was in the area that evening to contact them – and are hopeful that dash-cam footage may offer critical fresh evidence.
A family liaison officer has been appointed to his family who will be kept updated on this missing persons investigation.
Mr Quilligan is described as being approximately 5’7″ in height, of medium build and with brown/grey hair and blue eyes.
He has a large and distinctive tattoo on the side of his head.
When last seen Mr Quilligan was wearing an orange T-shirt, blue Under Armour tracksuit pants and black Nike runners.
Garda urged anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact Anglesea Street Garda station on (021) 452 2000, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666111 or their nearest Garda station.