A man has appeared in court in Glasgow charged with the murder of Irish student Karen Buckley.

Alexander Pacteau (21) from Glasgow appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court. He is charged with the murder of Ms Buckley, and with attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

He made no plea and was remanded in custody. It is expected he will appear again next week for a further hearing.

Ms Buckley, 24, from Cork, vanished after spending the night with friends at Glasgow's Sanctuary nightclub.

She started an occupational therapy degree at Glasgow Caledonian University in February and was previously a nurse at the Princess Alexandra hospital in Harlow, Essex.

Hundreds of mourners have attended a vigil for Ms Buckley in Glasgow city centre's George Square, with many laying flowers and candles, as well as cards and messages.

A piper played as people sang Scottish and Irish songs before a minute's silence was held.

Towards the end of the memorial, her parents and two of her brothers arrived in George Square and looked at the tributes.

Marian Buckley hugged husband John as they read messages of sorrow and support for the family.

Earlier this week, the couple had flown from Ireland to help with the search and told a news conference they were "desperate" for help.

Meanwhile, hundreds of other people attended a mass at a church close to the Buckley family home in north Cork. Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said: "All of our thoughts and prayers are with Karen's parents, John and Marian, and with all of her family and friends at this tragic time."

A candle and photograph of Ms Buckley have been left at the reception to the health sciences building where she studied at the University of Limerick.

Almost €70,000 has been donated to a fundraising page set up by Ms Buckley's former classmates to cover her family's expenses in Scotland.

Karen Buckley went to the Sanctuary nightclub on Saturday night with friends, and did not return from a trip to the bathroom.

Karen's friends later told police that while she had a few drinks, she was not drunk.

She was seen on CCTV talking to a man, after which she never returned home.

Floral tributes are laid at Glasgow Caledonian University | Image: Juliette Gash

The move was so out of character for her, that her friends contacted police on Sunday sparking a massive four day search operation.

But on Wednesday evening, human remains were discovered at a farm north of Glasgow, they were later confirmed by police to be those of Ms Buckley.

Floral tributes have been laid at Caledonian University, where she was studying for a Masters in Occupational Therapy.

Friends and colleagues have also left bouquets and cards, expressing their deep sympathy.

Karen Stanton is vice chancellor of the university.

And student president Michael Stephenson said students are deeply affected.