'The pain, the hurt' - Fresh appeal launched for 27-year-old Offaly man who vanished a year ago

A renewed appeal has been issued to the public to help trace the whereabouts of Luke Price who was reported missing from Limerick city on this day last year, Tuesday January 14, 2025.

Luke, who was 27-years-old at the time was seen at around 9pm on Tuesday January 14, 2025.

Originally from Geashill in county Offaly, Luke lived in Ballyfin in county Laois where he worked as a chef. He was known in Portlaoise through is work and around Laois from being involved in the scouts.

On the day he went missing, Luke travelled by train from Portlaoise to Limerick. He then socialised for a time in Limerick and went to O'Curry Street with a friend. He left there at around 9pm and went in the direction of the Dock Road, but has not been seen since.

In April 2025, Gardaí worked with the Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue Service and Civil Defence on wetlands in the vicinity of the Condell Road, Limerick City. A dog search team helped in the search along the River Shannon on the back of CCTV footage of Mr Price’s last known movements.

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Gardaí concluded the search two days later and declined to state what course the search might now take in efforts to locate the young man.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, Luke's mother Pauline Price said even the tiniest bit of information could be enough to find her son.

She said dealing with her son's disappearance has become "progressively difficult" as the years go by, especially around key moments like his birthday and Christmas.

Speaking of the past year, Pauline said,

"I keep myself busy because it was a way of coping. It was overwhelming. The pain, the hurt, the sadness. All of the emotions, anger even - all of them are normal when you're grieving.

"Only in this instance we don't have anything to grieve over - apart from the loss of what we knew, because we sure as hell don't know it anymore."

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Now a year on, Gardaí are appealing to the public again for any information they might have that could lead to finding Luke.

When last seen, Luke was wearing a black coat, blue jeans and black boots.

Gardaí and Luke's family are concerned for his wellbeing.

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There have been a number of reported sightings by members of the public across different locations, however none of these have been confirmed to be Luke.

Anyone with information on Luke’s whereabouts is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.