Parents of missing Karen Buckley issue appeal as handbag found in park Published duration 14 April 2015

media caption The parents of missing student Karen Buckley say they are "desperate" and appeal for anyone with information to get in touch

The parents of missing student Karen Buckley have appealed for information as police revealed her handbag has been found in a Glasgow park.

Ms Buckley, 24, from Cork in Ireland, was last seen walking away from a nightclub after talking to a man.

Speaking at a police news conference, her parents said: "She is our only daughter and we love her dearly."

Officers now know Ms Buckley spent several hours at a flat in the city after leaving the nightclub.

She was at the Sanctuary club on Glasgow's Dumbarton Road on Saturday and at 01:00 told friends she was going to the toilet but did not return or take her jacket.

'We are desperate'

She was then seen on CCTV talking to a man outside the club, before leaving and walking towards Church Street.

Her mother Marian Buckley said: "We just want Karen home safely. We are desperate."

Police said their inquiries had uncovered that Ms Buckley had been in the Kelvinside area of Glasgow early on Sunday morning.

image caption Ms Buckley spend several hours at Dorchester Avenue before leaving at 04:00

image copyright PA image caption A heavy police presence has been maintained in the area surrounding the block of flats

Officers believe she left the club, got into a vehicle and went to Dorchester Avenue with a man, where she spent several hours.

She then left at 04:00 to return to her home in Hill Street but her whereabouts are unknown from this point.

Ms Buckley may have been walking home as her mother said she is unsure of getting taxis.

Police search teams involved in the operation to find the missing student have moved into Dawsholm Park in Glasgow, where her handbag was found.

image copyright PA image caption Karen's bag was found in the park by a member of the public

image caption Dozens more police arriving at Dawsholm Park as darkness fell to continue with the search

A police helicopter is overhead and the area has been cordoned off.

Also, despite reports to the contrary, Ms Buckley has not been active on social media since her disappearance.

Description of Karen Buckley

image copyright Police handout image caption Karen Buckley from Cork in Ireland was in a nightclub in Partick when she disappeared

Ms Buckley is described as white, about 5ft to 5ft 2in tall, with brown eyes and dark hair with black curly hair extensions.

She was wearing a black jump suit, red high heels and had a black handbag. She speaks in an Irish accent.

The Glasgow Caledonian University student moved to Glasgow in January and is studying Occupational Therapy. She was previously a nurse at the Princess Alexandria Hospital in Harlow, Essex.

Police are also keen to trace a grey car seen around Milngavie and Drymen between 11:00 and 13:00 on Monday. No make or model of vehicle was given.

Police stressed that their investigation was "still very much a missing person inquiry".

Det Supt Jim Kerr added: "Police Scotland are gravely concerned about Karen's safety. She has now been missing for more than 60 hours and has not been seen or heard of since Saturday."

image caption Police have been patrolling the west end in efforts to track Miss Buckley's movements

'No sign of struggle'

The man Ms Buckley was seen with on CCTV has been traced and is assisting officers.

Det Supt Kerr added: "I must stress that at this time he is not a suspect. From what we can see she does not appear under duress, there are no signs of a struggle or reluctance on her part to leave the club.

"However again that does not mean that nothing untoward has happened to her at a later stage."

image copyright Google image caption The nightclub is located in the City's west end - an area popular among students

Related Topics Cork

Glasgow