Man released over Mary Boyle disappearance

The man arrested on Tuesday in relation to the disappearance of six-year-old Mary Boyle 37 years ago was last night released without charge.

The man, who is in his 60s, had been detained at Mullingar Garda Station under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

After his release a garda spokesman said, pending further investigation, a file will be sent to the DPP. He said officers are continuing to liaise with Mary’s mother Ann Boyle.

The little girl went missing while visiting her grandparents’ home in Cashelard, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, on March 18, 1977. The identical twin, from Belcruit, Kincasslagh, Co Donegal, had travelled to Cashelard with her parents and siblings. At about 3.30pm she followed her uncle, who had gone to a neighbour’s house to return a ladder. The neighbour’s house was less than 500m away. Near the house, she told her uncle she was turning back. She was never seen again.

Yesterday her mother, Ann speaking in the aftermath of the first ever arrest in relation to her daughter’s disappearance, said people like the family of missing British girl Madeleine McCann should never give up hope of finding missing loved ones.