Philip Cairns missing 25 years ago today.

TeddyTedson

From Wikipedia

Philip Cairns (born 1 September 1973) disappeared on the afternoon of 23 October 1986 while walking back to school in south Dublin, Ireland. The thirteen year-old schoolboy left his home in Ballyroan to return to school, but has not been seen since. A large-scale investigation was carried out but no trace of the boy has ever been found.[1][2] His disappearance is now treated as a high profile child murder case, the only similar incident in Ireland being the murder of Robert Holohan in January 2005.[3] It is one of the most high-profile disappearances in recent Irish history.[4]
Philip's family have issued numerous appeals for information. A reconstruction took place in 2007 and was later televised on RTÉ One, while a reward of €10,000 has also been offered. The book, When Heaven Waits, published in 2007, featured an interview with Philip's mother. Nobody has ever been arrested,[4] and the only suspect cannot be tried due to lack of evidence. The case remains open.

headmaster

25 years and not even a trace. Now, that's what I call a mystery. Crazy.

TeddyTedson

People seem to have forgotten.

John_Rambo

I'm not from the area, but I remember the case. I get the impression from reading between the lines that a lot of people and maybe the Gardai have a good idea what happened, but I could be wrong... Very sad case, I remember heading out hill walking in Wicklow when I was a teenager and there were search teams out with long sticks.

Luckycharm

I remember it well I am from that area same age- played soccer with him occasionaly. He was a very quiet lad so would be very surprised he got in a car with someone he did not know. Weirdest thing was his bag been found 2 days dry on a wet day in a small laneway where hundreds of people would walk through every day.

spockety

TeddyTedson wrote: »

People seem to have forgotten.

I think you're wrong. I'd say anyone over 30 knows of it and has not forgotten.

It was in the news big time a couple of years ago when they started digging up the Grange golf course after a 'tip off'.

I think whoever said you could read between the lines is right, I'm sure people close to the situation probably have a fair idea or a narrow field of suspects.

I'd say it is still as horrific for his parents today as it was 25 years ago, the thought of it. I think the most amazing thing is that one or more people have managed to keep schtum for this long, there must be people out there who know exactly what happened and are protecting whoever is responsible.

Joey the lips

I will never forget this. I still pray for the chap. He was just older than me,

tfitzgerald

A very sad case , his family must have had a terrible and painful life wondering what happened to their loved one .

Mischa68

The one thing I never understood is why nobody saw him after he left the house. He wanted to walk back to school after lunch break. There must have been dozens of other kids doing the same thing. So why did nobody see him? Seems he vanished into thin air right at his own front-door.

ollaetta

His father died this week. Sad that he never found out the truth.

John_Rambo

ollaetta wrote: »

His father died this week. Sad that he never found out the truth.

I didn't know this until you posted here, thanks ollaetta. Tragic stuff altogether, I hope Phillip senior isn't wondering what happened any more.

quigliest

There's a few references to a book called When Heaven Waits regarding this case but no other records of the book ever being published. Does anyone know if the book was ever published?

John_Rambo

Where did you first hear about the book quigliest?

vienne86

John_Rambo wrote: »

Where did you first hear about the book quigliest?

I see it's mentioned here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Philip_Cairns

John_Rambo

Massive progression on this tragic case. Lots of details, turns out a female witnessed something.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/garda%C3%AD-may-have-identified-killer-of-missing-schoolboy-philip-cairns-1.2680488

Shame the man refused to tell where the remains are.

Kristopherus

News also here http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-believe-paedophile-dj-eamon-captain-cooke-may-have-killed-schoolboy-philip-cairns-34790504.html

Rfrip

So sad

Synode

I hope that woman is locked up. Witholding vital evidence for so long is unforgivable.

Mantis Toboggan

Seems like the man who done it has just died. Sad

dennyire

Synode wrote: »

I hope that woman is locked up. Witholding vital evidence for so long is unforgivable.

She was nine at the time.....went through hell while alleged perpetrator was still alive.....what sort of life is that for a girl growing up? I think withholding evidence is a bit strong....thoughts are with Philipps family AND with the girl

Synode

Didn't realise she was so young at the time

TeddyTedson

This was a little disturbing to me at the time.

Mantis Toboggan

TeddyTedson wrote: »

This was a little disturbing to me at the time.

Why?