The family of a 21-year-old student missing since last weekend have appealed for help in tracing his whereabouts and pledged a €10,000 reward for information leading to his safe return.
Richard (Richie) Wellwood, a third-year horticulture student at UCD and originally from Abbeyleix, Co Laois, was last seen outside the Abrakebabra restaurant on Westmoreland Street, Dublin, early last Saturday morning.
After leaving the UCD bar in Belfield, where students marked the start of a three-week break from lectures, Mr Wellwood went with four friends to Club M in Blooms Hotel, Temple Bar.
Last night, his older brother, Paul Wellwood, said Richie's flatmate had alerted the family of his failure to return home on Saturday night. "When Richie and his friends came out of the club, they were standing outside mingling...Richie then went off on his own. They called after him but then just presumed he was going off to get a taxi."
Mr Wellwood was wearing blue jeans, white Nike runners and a grey top with the hood pulled up at the time of his disappearance at approximately 3.37am. He is 6'3" to 6'4", well built, with brown hair and eyes.
Anyone with information should contact Pearse Street Garda station on (01) 666 9000.