Northern Ireland

Michael Cullen: Family of missing north Belfast man to take to streets of city centre

North Belfast man Michael Cullen has been missing since January 9
North Belfast man Michael Cullen has been missing since January 9 North Belfast man Michael Cullen has been missing since January 9

FAMILY and friends of a missing north Belfast man will take to the streets of the city centre this weekend in a bid to prompt new information about his whereabouts.

Michael Cullen, a research officer at Ulster University and award-winning beatboxer, was last seen by his family on January 9.

Large crowds of volunteers have joined professional teams in the search effort, who initially spent time combing the Cavehill area.

The Cullen family have also distributed flyers in the Lisburn Road and Boucher Road areas after a signal was picked up from Michael's phone on the day of his disappearance.

The campaign has been widely shared on social media and last week former world champion boxer Carl Frampton offered his support when he posed with a t-shirt with the message #HelpFindMichaelCullen.

Family and friends will again be joined by volunteers this weekend when they take to Belfast city centre to hand out flyers bearing Michael's image.

The group are hoping to target crowds attending several high-profile events in Belfast today.

Michael's brother Daniel said the family are also asking people "anywhere in the country" to keep an eye out.

"It's really to get as many eyes on this as possible, for anyone who might have seen Michael. We are still looking around outside of the city."

Mr Cullen said anyone who wants to volunteer can go to `HelpFindMichaelCullen' on Facebook for details.

"It's been unbelievable how the community can get together," he said.

"There are no words for it sometimes."

Meanwhile, searches are continuing in Co Armagh for missing Portadown man Norman Prentice.

The last confirmed sighting of the 55-year-old was in a bank in the town on January 5.

Mr Prentice is described as approximately 5ft 8in tall and of slim build. He has black hair with a grey streak.