Family of missing man with strong London ties pleads for answers ahead of second year missing; believes he could be in the UK.
John, a 43-year-old IT specialist from Dublin, vanished in the early hours of Monday, 21 August 2023, while on a family holiday with his wife and three young daughters in East Cork.
He had suffered an epileptic episode and was admitted to Cork University Hospital on Sunday, 20 August. Whilst there, it is believed he may have suffered a second epileptic episode causing disorientation and confusion which led to him discharging himself from the hospital and heading into Cork City Centre. From there, John headed to the Centre Park Road area that was the site of two major music concert venues (the Marquee and Páirc Uí Chaoimh) that he would have attended often. He may have been thinking there were events taking place.
John was last seen on CCTV which captures him walking past the Páirc Uí Chaoimh Stadium at 1:40am the following morning.
For the following eight weeks with the help of loved ones and local services, John’s family comprehensively searched this whole area of Cork and beyond, with no sign of where John went on to from there.
Speaking on behalf of the family, hhis uncle Cathal said:
“John was a huge music fan and regularly attended concerts not only in Ireland but also all over the UK. It was his passion. John was one of the biggest fans of Oasis and went to over 70 of their concerts before they broke up – he even secured their playlist backstage at their Paris concert! We feel that John if disorientated after his epileptic episode may have somehow managed to travel to somewhere familiar in the UK that we are not aware of.
“We are asking for everyone’s help, particularly music and concert fans, that if they have seen or met anyone matching John’s description to contact us or let us know.
“John was an extremely friendly, likable and engaging person that we are sure that anybody who would have met him would remember him.
“We all miss John terribly every day and any help anyone can give would be so sincerely appreciated. A huge and heartfelt thanks for everyone’s support and for any information no matter how small that you think may help us.”
At the time of his disappearance, John was last seen wearing navy trousers, a grey Umbro hoodie with the Irish football logo, and white runners. He was also wearing a hospital wristband at the time.
To help the search, the public can visit John’s appeal on the Missing People website here: https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/help-us-find/john-keaveney-25-005293#.
From here, one can report a sighting, download his missing appeal as a poster, and share it as widely as possible via Facebook, Twitter, and in public spaces.
Missing People’s Publicity Officer, Ndella Senghore, said:
“If anyone has any information about John’s disappearance, they can contact Missing People’s helpline.
“John, if you are reading this, please get in touch. You can call us on 116 000, +44 0208 392 4521, or email 116000@missingpeople.org.uk. Our service is non-judgemental, confidential, and free. We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe.
“Our helpline is here to support people who are missing, thinking of going missing, and for loved ones who are left behind. The helpline is free and confidential and is operated by trained staff and volunteers.
“Sightings and information about any missing person can also be given anonymously through the Missing People website at https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/sightings-and-giving-information-2. For those in the Republic of Ireland, call the Anglesea Street Garda Station on +353 21 452 2000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”
