THE SEARCH for a man from Co Clare who went missing in Cork almost three weeks ago is set to intensify over the coming days.
It is believed that Breacon Mooney (31), who was living at Blarney Street in Cork, may have entered the River Lee at about 3am on Friday, November 20th, after a night out with friends.
He was last seen leaving the Crane Lane Bar at about 2.30am. He had gone to the pub to watch the Ireland versus France soccer match and was wearing a dark jacket, an Ireland scarf, blue jeans and brown shoes.
A scarf and jacket believed to belong to Mr Mooney were recovered from the Horgan’s Quay area on November 20th, prompting friends and relatives to gather in Cork to launch a search operation.
The Lee Rowing Club provides a base for the search efforts, which is co-ordinated by a friend and colleague of the missing man, Darragh Duggan.
“We will continue intense efforts to find Breacon over the coming days but after the weekend, once it has gone over the three-week mark, the search will be scaled down,” Mr Duggan said.
Gardaí, Naval Service divers and the Missing Persons Association have assisted in the search for Mr Mooney and private operators and individual boat owners have donated their time and craft.
Volunteers continue to comb the banks of the River Lee, concentrating on the stretch of water from the Christy Ring Bridge to Tivoli.
“We are hopeful for the coming days but once the search is scaled back, we will still maintain a presence on the river.
“The Missing Persons’ boat will continue its participation and we will have people there on the banks, keeping an eye out for him,” Mr Duggan said.