Search for missing bookstore manager
Claire Boylan, 36, was last seen on March 2 when she left her family home to visit a friend in Tullamore. Despite several reported sightings, no one has heard from her since. Gardaí are treating her disappearance as a missing persons case.
Her family engaged the support of PR firm Slattery Communications to assist with a media appeal.
Her brother Bernard said her disappearance was totally out of character.
“It’s very distressing for family and friends,” he said, “Claire is a very reliable individual, a creature of habit. We are all struggling to cope, especially our parents, Brian and Maureen, both in their 70s, but they are very brave.” Claire is 5ft 4ins, with short brown curly hair, green eyes and an oval shaped face. She is described as a conscientious and shy woman.
Her brother appealed for her to make contact, however brief, with her family, friends or gardaí.
According to gardaí, more than 1,800 people are reported missing annually. Most, however, return home within 24-48 hours with an average of four people per year joining the ranks of the disappeared.
Claire, one of a family-of-six from the Terenure area, went missing on a Sunday and the alarm was raised after she failed to return to work two days later at a Rathmines bookshop. Her brother said she missed several family celebrations including her father’s birthday and Mother’s Day along with a pre-arranged visit to Dublin by a sister living in Germany.
“We are hoping Claire is taking time out,” said Bernard. He said she did not take any clothing or personal possessions with her.
The former school friend who Claire planned to visit in Co Offaly confirmed to gardaí there was no contact on March 2, or since, with the missing woman.
Anyone with information is asked to contact any garda station or Terenure gardaí at 01 6666400.
Meanwhile, gardaí have appealed for help in locating two other missing people. Shane Fitzgerald, aged 30, from Dunmore East, Co Waterford, was last seen at a nightclub in Waterford at 3.10am on Sunday, April 13. Mr Fitzgerald is six feet, has a shaven head and a red goatie beard. Gardaí in Dublin are concerned about Corinna Cranny, 14, from Ballyfermot, last seen on Wednesday, April 16.
