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Man detained as search continues for Karen Buckley overnight

Updated / Thursday, 16 Apr 2015 07:12
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service vehicles arrive at the entrance to High Craigton Farm
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service vehicles arrive at the entrance to High Craigton Farm

A search is continuing overnight for missing Cork student Karen Buckley.

A 21-year-old man has been detained in connection with the disappearance of Ms Buckley, who was last seen in the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Police Scotland said they are now "following a definite line of enquiry".

A number of areas have been sealed off as part of the search including a farm in High Craigton to the north of Glasgow.

Forensic teams earlier today searched the garden of the apartment where Ms Buckley went with a man on Sunday morning.

Divers also joined in the operation. Sheds and a canal close to the apartment were searched in the Dorchester Avenue area.

Police sealed off an area there and carried out searches between some old wooden sheds.

They said they are "gravely concerned" for the wellbeing of 24-year-old Ms Buckley from Mourneabbey near Mallow in north Cork.

Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr said: "Our absolute priority is to find Karen Buckley.

"We have a team of specialist search officers from the west and east working in the area as well as additional patrols in the west end and north of the city."

Officers have been supported by the air unit, marine policing underwater unit, specialist crime division, police search dogs and operational patrols.

Ms Buckley's handbag was found inside a bin in Dawsholm Park yesterday afternoon.

A police spokeswoman said inquiries are continuing and there had been a good response from the public to appeals for help.

She said: "However, we are still encouraging people to come forward with any information that will assist in us finding Karen."

Police are trying to trace a silver or grey car believed to have been in the area between 11am and 3pm yesterday afternoon and inquiries are continuing today in the west of the city. 

They have once again appealed for information and asked anyone who may have seen Ms Buckley or noticed the grey or silver car to contact them.

The qualified nurse moved to Glasgow in February and is a first-year occupational therapy student at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Mass of hope for Buckley family

A mass of hope was celebrated for the Buckley family at the Church of St Michael the Archangel at Analeentha in Mourneabbey this evening.

Parish priest Fr Joe O'Keeffe described the mass as a simple, meaningful celebration.

He said it was an opportunity for the community to support the Buckley family in spirit and prayer.

The Bishop of Cloyne, Dr William Crean, called for prayers for the safe return of Ms Buckley. 

Dr Crean offered his prayerful support to the Buckley family and described this as a painful time for them.

Ms Buckley's parents Marian and John are in Glasgow and will be joined by their son Kieran, who is travelling from Australia.

Detective Kerr said: "Karen is a lovely girl, close to her family and popular with her friends.

"She has only been in Glasgow a few months, and if staying out will always let her friends know - hence the real concern here."

Ms Buckley's parents appealed for information at a news conference yesterday.

They said they are "desperate" to get her back and safe with her family.

The 24-year-old arrived at the Sanctuary club on Dumbarton Road with friends at around 11.45pm on Saturday.

At around 1am, she told them she was going to the toilet, but failed to return and did not take her jacket.

She was then seen on CCTV outside talking to a man and then walking westwards away from the city centre towards Church Street.

A Facebook page - Please help find Karen missing in Glasgow - has been set up urging people to look for her.

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