Monument to missing people unveiled

A national monument to missing people in Ireland was unveiled today by President Mary McAleese.

The eight-feet-high lattice-style bronze sculpture - believed to be the first memorial of its kind - has been built near Kilkenny town by local artist Ann Mulrooney.

It commemorates a number of people from Ireland and overseas who have disappeared without trace from Irish locations in recent years.

The monument, set in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle, and featuring the handprints of family members of the missing, was commissioned by a trust established by Mary Phelan, from Callan, Co Kilkenny, whose sister, JoJo Dullard has not been seen since November 1995.

The project was also backed by Ireland’s National Millennium Committee through an almost €31,740 donation in response to a demand for a memorial to the missing.

Members of Ms Dullard’s family and the relatives of other people missing from both sides of the Irish border and from Britain and the US.

Each year up to 2,000 people are reported missing to the Gardai, and though most subsequently return to their homes, some are never seen again.

A spokesman for the National Millennium Committee said: ‘‘The monument is intended to be a permanent reminder to the public of these people who are missing - and as an important focal point and area of reflection for their families.

Ms Phelan said: ‘‘Our missing people are, by definition, missing, mostly presumed dead.

‘‘We have no grave to visit at any time, but this will be forever a monument to their memory and in place of remembrance

‘‘This is the first monument of its kind to be erected anywhere to the memory of missing people.’’

Seamus Brennan added: ‘‘The monument recognises in a sensitive and permanent way our missing people.’’