Garda divers have resumed their search for a missing Cork man who was last seen leaving a party in Dublin’s south inner city more than a week ago.
The divers searched stretches of the Grand Canal in Dublin at the weekend as part of their efforts to find Damian O’Brien (37).
The Garda diver search team will focus today on the stretch of the canal at Leeson Street, not far from where Mr O’Brien was last seen.
The missing man is from Clonakilty, Co Cork, but is living in Phibsborough, Dublin. He works as a development officer in Fáilte Ireland’s Dublin offices on Baggot Street.
He was last seen by friends just before 11pm last Friday week, November 27th, at Percy Place near Baggot Street bridge.
Colleagues of Mr O’Brien became concerned when he did not turn up for work last Monday morning and failed to contact anybody to explain his absence.
He failed to show the following morning for a flight to London. His phone had been turned off as people were trying to contact him over a number of days.
The disappearance of Mr O’Brien, a single man and only child, was described by sources close to him as “totally out of character”. The same sources said he had never disappeared before and they knew of no reason why he would do so at this time.
Mr O’Brien was described by one colleague as “a very popular guy” who enjoyed good relations with all staff in Fáilte Ireland, where he worked in the cultural and heritage division.
“Obviously he’s been missing for a good while now so his family and colleagues and all of his friends are very worried at this stage,” said one friend.
Gardaí were alerted to Mr O’Brien’s disappearance last Tuesday morning and a missing person’s inquiry was immediately begun.
More than 60 of his friends and colleagues spent the weekend distributing posters in Dublin city centre containing Mr O’Brien’s photograph and a detailed description of him.
Fliers have also been posted around the city in the hope that passersby might recognise him and be able to supply the Garda with information on sightings or on his whereabouts.
Mr O’Brien is described as 175cm (5ft 9in) in height, of stocky build with short black hair and sallow complexion. He has a faded but noticeable scar on his forehead over his right eye.
He was wearing a black blazer, denim jeans and bright pink scarf when last seen.
Gardaí have issued a public appeal for anybody in Dublin or Cork who may have seen Mr O’Brien on the night he went missing or at any time since then, to come forward.
Anyone with details is asked to contact Mountjoy gardaí on (01) 666 8600. Callers are also invited to use the Garda confidential line 1800 666 111 or to contact any Garda station.
