A mother’s anguish

Nine days after Robert Holohan went missing, his family face the horror of being told he will not be coming home, writes Dan Buckley.

FROM the very start, the signs were ominous: as dusk begins to fall on a quiet country road near Midleton, Co Cork, a neighbour finds a spanking new BMX bike lying abandoned against a ditch.

It doesn't take her long to recognise it as belonging to Robert Holohan, a bright and popular 11-year-old boy from the locality. It is a Christmas present from his parents, Mark and Majella; his pride and joy.