Gardaí appeal for information on missing student

Hundreds of volunteers have braved gales and torrential rain this week to search the Galway Bay shoreline for missing student Michael Bugler.

Mr Bugler (20), a law student at NUI Galway from Co Clare, was last seen a fortnight ago.

He had been out with friends, and CCTV footage recorded him passing the Dominican church at the Claddagh shortly before 1am on December 18th.

Extensive searches co-ordinated by gardaí at Mill Street station in Galway have involved the Civil Defence, Coast Guard, family members, friends, NUIG students and residents of many communities around the bay.

Up to 300 people have participated in low-tide walks of the southern shoreline from Oranmore, while several hundred people from many parts of Connemara volunteered for sweeps of the northern coastline from Salthill west to Spiddal, Inverin and Rossaveal throughout the week.

"We have had diving and kayaking clubs, sports clubs and community groups, a man on horseback who goes out every day from Maree, and even people with drones have offered assistance," said Insp Kevin Gately, who is co-ordinating the search.

"A group of parents in Oranmore have provided soup and sandwiches, and Calasanctius College [in Oranmore] has opened up to allow us to use the school as a base," he said.

Insp Gately paid tribute to the voluntary effort and said shore searches would continue for the foreseeable future.

Mr Bugler is described as being 1.75m (5ft 9in) in height, of thin build with short brown hair and blue eyes. When last seen he was wearing a blue jumper and jeans.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact them at Galway Garda station, on 091- 538000, the Garda confidential line at 1800-666111 or any Garda station.