Renewed appeal for missing Tralee man

GARDAÍ in Tralee and Cork have renewed their appeal for help in tracing a young Tralee man who has now been missing for over six weeks.

20-year-old John Burke – who is originally from Waterford but who has been living in Tralee for several years – was last seen by aquaintances in Cork City on June 16.

Since then there has been just one sighting of the young man in the city.

According to Gardaí this occurred on an unknown date when he attempted to access homeless accommodation in the city.

Gardaí said that Mr Burke did not gain access as the facility had no bed spaces available at the time and staff had to turn him away.

It is understood he was referred to other facilities in Cork but he is not known to have subsequently attended any other homeless shelters in the city.

John is described as being 5’ 6’’ tall with a slim build and with short brown hair.

The staff working at the homeless shelter where Mr Burke had sought a bed were unable to provide gardaí with particularly detailed information as to his appearance.

As a result the Garda Missing Persons Bureau – who are assisting in the search effort – say it is not known exactly what the young Tralee resident was wearing when he was last seen.

Anyone who has seen John or who can assist in locating him is asked to contact Tralee Garda Station on 066 7102300, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Since the beginning of the year the Garda Missing Persons Bureau have received 2,678 reports of missing people.

Just 32 of these cases – including Mr Burke’s – have not been resolved.

Issued by Gardaí Photo Missing man John Burke.