THE SEARCH will resume in the northern Polish city of Bydgoszcz this morning for a young Irish soccer fan who went missing at the weekend.
James Nolan (21), an environmental engineering student from Blessington, Co Wicklow, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday morning in the city while socialising with friends.
The Irish Ambassador to Poland, Eugene Hutchinson, travelled to the city yesterday and met local civil and police officials.
Mr Hutchinson commended the local search effort, which has involved more than 100 police officers and members of the local community.
“I have been extremely impressed by the intensive and very professional approach to investigating this case,” he said.
Mr Nolan was in the company of 10 Irish friends which broke up in the old town area of Bydgoszcz in the early hours of Sunday morning. The last confirmed sighting of him was between 1am and 1.30am. Mr Nolan’s friends have remained in the area to assist in the search.
Yesterday, police reviewed CCTV footage and searched a number of locations, including a wooded area around the hotel where Mr Nolan and his friends were staying. Police divers using specialist equipment searched stretches of the Brda river, which runs through the city, and are expected to resume their search this morning.
Hotels, guesthouses, local hospitals and other healthcare facilities have all been checked and an extensive social media campaign is under way, with thousands visiting a Facebook page and retweeting requests on Twitter for information on Mr Nolan’s whereabouts.
Poland's missing persons agency has featured his photograph and is carrying a description on its website, Zaginieni.pl.
Members of Mr Nolan’s family, who have appealed to the public for information about his whereabouts, are expected in Bydgoszcz today.
