Desperate plea to find an Irish backpacker, 30, who was last seen drinking at a Queensland bar in chilling resemblance to Theo Hayez
- Declan Whales last made contact on June 9 and was starting work in Brisbane
- He was last seen tagged in a photo at Gilligan’s Hotel in Cairns on May 28
- Pictures from his Instagram account show him travelling Australia
Friends have launched a desperate plea to find a missing Irish backpacker who was last seen at a Queensland bar three weeks ago.
Declan Whales, 30, last made contact on the night of June 9 and was reportedly heading south to start work in Brisbane.
He was last seen photographed partying at Gilligan’s Bar and Hotel in Cairns, a popular destination for backpackers, on May 28.
Do you know this man’s whereabouts? The Irish Australian Society of Queensland posted this image on Facebook, urging people to get the word out
The last photograph Declan Whales has appeared in, pictured top left at Gilligan’s Bar in Cairns
Friends who met Whales on his Australian travels have called him a great guy who fell in love with Australia.
‘We worked together in Bundaberg,’ says Adrian King, from Canada. ‘He was planning on doing his 88 days here [to gain a second visa] because he loved Australia.
‘He was a nice and funny guy…I hope they find him ok.’
Another friend shared the post with the caption: ‘My lovely friend has disappeared. If anyone knows anything please help.’
The case is reminiscent of 18-year-old Belgian backpacker, Theo Hayez, who was last seen leaving a Byron May bar on May 31st.
NSW authorities have just suspended their search, after trawling through nearby bushland.
The Irish Australian Society of Queensland, who were notified of Mr Whales’ disappearance by the Irish Consulate General in Sydney, has put word out on social media, urging users to share the message.
‘Please share all over the place and call, comment or PM us with any information you may think useful,’ the post said
‘Your help as always is greatly appreciated everyone and hopefully Declan will be found safe & well soon.’
Anyone with information is urged to contact Queensland Police on +61 7 131 444.
Mr Whales, pictured here with fellow travelers at Whitehaven Beach, Qld, posted on April 24
Declan Whales, pictured in this Instagram post from March 8, was last seen in Queensland