Karen Buckley: Second silent vigil held in Glasgow

One thousand candles were lit as neighbours gathered to be part of a silent vigil for Karen Buckley, close to where the student lived in Glasgow.

Residents of the Garnethill area of the city gathered to remember the 24-year-old student from Cork, whose body was discovered on a farm north of the city on Wednesday.

About 120 people attended the vigil, where they lit candles which were arranged to make a Celtic symbol.

Organiser Jane Sutherland, chairwoman of the community council, said: “It’s a wee close-knit community up here. Although it’s quite a transient population with the students, it’s a small community and the news of this young girl going out on a Saturday night and then never coming back is just unbearably sad.

“This is just a moment for the neighbourhood to come together. Since she went missing nobody has talked of anything else.

“Words fail me - that’s why we wanted to do a wee silent candlelit vigil - one thousand points of light for the one point of light that went out.

“I did not personally have the pleasure of knowing Karen but I know folks who knew her. Our profound condolences are with her mum and dad, her brothers and extended family.”

Police search

A major police search was launched when the Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) student vanished after a night out last weekend.

Her body was found at High Craigton Farm on the northwestern outskirts of the city following a four-day search.

Alexander Pacteau (21) has appeared in court charged with Ms Buckley's murder.

Mr Pacteau made no plea during a private hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday and was remanded in custody.

The memorial event, held in a park off Hill Street where Ms Buckley was living, follows a vigil held in the city’s George Square on Friday evening which was attended by about 300 people.

During Friday’s vigil flowers, candles, cards and messages were laid out in the square and a piper played. A minute’s silence was held and Ms Buckley’s family later arrived to look at the tributes that had been left.

Flowers and messages have also been left at the GCU campus and at the entrance to High Craigton Farm.

The outpouring of support for the family has also raised €50,000 in an online drive organised by her former classmates at the University of Limerick.

The GoFundMe page was set up to cover the family's travel and expenses while in Scotland and to support the upkeep of their farm in Cork. It raised more than 10 times the original target amount.

PA