Gardaí renew appeal for boy missing since 1986

Tonight’s Crimecall on RTÉ will include a reconstruction and appeal for information surrounding the disappearance of Philip Cairns.

On October 23, 1986, 13-year-old Philip Cairns from Ballyroan Road, Templeogue, came home for lunch from the secondary school where he was attending.

He never returned for his afternoon classes.

A major investigation was initiated shortly afterwards and the largest search for a missing person ever seen in this country at that time or since took place over the following weeks and months.

Many years later, the search for Philip is still on.

Since 1998 Detective Sergeant Tom Doyle of Rathfarnham Garda Station has been the lead investigator on the Philip Cairns case.

He hopes the renewed appeal for assistance will see a conclusion to one of the longest missing person cases in the history of the state.

Detective Doyle explains the events of the time, and how the public can help many years on.