Body found in Brisbane River

A body has been found in the Brisbane River this morning but local police say it is still too early to tell whether or not it is that of a 24-year-old Corkman missing since Saturday after falling overboard from a cruise boat.

Shane O’Halloran (pictured inset), from Ballineen in west Cork, currently on a second-year Working Holiday Visa, fell overboard during a friend’s birthday party cruise on September 5.

Queensland Police said on Monday that they hold grave fears for the man, but are yet to confirm whether the body found in the river this morning is that of Mr O’Halloran.

MISSING: Shane O'Halloran from west Cork fell from a boat on the Brisbane River on September 5 and has not been seen since.

He and a female companion, Sinead O’Neill from Limavady in Co Derry, are understood to have both fallen into the water from a railing, and although Ms O’Neill was quickly fished out by the boat’s crew, Mr O’Halloran never resurfaced.

Ms O’Neill is 26 years old and was treated for shock after being plucked from the water.

Police and friends of the Corkman, who is understood to have an address in Bulimba in the city, have been combing the river banks in search of him, but until this morning there had been no sign.

Mr O’Halloran, who police believe to be a weak swimmer, fell overboard from the Lady Brisbane cruise ship on the Milton stretch of the river.

Mr O’Halloran’s parents, Noel and Theresa, are being briefed by Irish consular staff about developments in Brisbane. It is understood that they may travel to Australia over the coming days.

Mr O’Halloran has two sisters and two brothers.

Mr O’Halloran moved to Australia two years ago and had been working as a carpenter in the Brisbane area.

More details here later in the day as they come to light.