Updated 4.23pm
THE BODY OF missing Cork student Karen Buckley has been found by police in Glasgow.
The 24-year-old was reported missing after a night out with friends at a nightclub near their flat.
Police Scotland this afternoon confirmed that remains found are those of the Cork-born nurse.
Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr said that the remains are those of Karen Buckley.
He said that he could not “begin to imagine the pain and suffering” of Karen’s family and friends. He thanked the public for their support in the case.
Heartbroken
John Buckley, Karen’s father, released a statement which read:
Marian and I, together with our sons Brendan, Kieran and Damian, are absolutely heartbroken. Karen was our only daughter, cherished by our family and loved by her friends. She was an outgoing girl, who travelled the world where she met lots of people and thoroughly enjoyed her life. We will miss her terribly.
We would be very grateful if we be left alone now to grieve with our family and friends.
A 21-year-old man, detained by police last night, was formally arrested this morning.
Authorities last night confirmed that, after nearly four days of searching, a body was found at a farm north of the city.
The man arrested this morning is expected to appear before a court in Glasgow tomorrow.
In a statement, Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said he is “greatly saddened” by news of the discovery.
“All of our thoughts and prayers are with Karen’s parents, John and Marian, and with all of her family and friends at this tragic time,” the Minister said.
A drive to raise funds to support the student’s family “in any way possible during this difficult time” has attracted more than 500 donations since it was launched yesterday.
At the time of writing, £10,126 has been raised. The target had been £5,000.
Karen Buckley was a student at Glasgow Caledonian University and lived with three other student friends in the city. They reported her missing on Sunday saying that it was out of character for her not to return home.
Her parents, Marion and John Buckley, travelled to Glasgow from their home near Mallow in Cork and on Tuesday spoke at a press conference seeking information on her disappearance.
Additional reporting by Dan Mac Guill and Nicky Ryan. First published at 01.40am.
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