Why did Gardai destroy possible burial site of Irelands longest missing child?

jenny smith · 06-07-2016 07:03PM

Going Forward wrote: »

I think it's time for me at least to move from here (in the CT forum) to the other thread.

Might see you all over there;)

I'm going to very blunt here in what I'm going to say next.

Is there no one who's a bit media savvy who can do something about this case?

It's obvious Mary's sister Ann is not comfortable in the glare of publicity.

Margo O'Donnell, accepting her good intentions seems a bit naive.

Surely there's someone willing to take on a media campaign, recording the story properly and the steps along the way.

And I'm not implying that that person should be you.

Contacts made towards the media and any responses received.

The media is being blamed for not covering it well, but bear in mind most of the media now is comprised of young not terribly well educated copy and paste merchants.

Many of them will never have heard of the case and might not care less unless they are spoon fed that they might be the one responsible for bringing an end to this case.

That is nonsense. Any qualified journalist should be able to investigate. Maybe they do not bother because they are up against a woman who does not want her daughters disappearance investigated for family reasons, a family split on it and probably more we do not know about

anyway what do you think the mainstream media can do. gemma o d made the film and what more can a mainstream person do

jenny smith · 06-07-2016 07:06PM

oranbhoy67 wrote: »

just after ringing the garda station again

the detective wasn't in again

the Guard on the phone said "ah are you the one from Scotland"

promised to get me a call back . again

think that says it all really

Why do you accept this. if it were me i would complain the detective to the garda commissioner. Here is a tip from someone i know, someone who gets results Always go to the top. if someone does not answer your call do not argue with him. Go over his head. Without telling him

Going Forward · 06-07-2016 07:10PM

oranbhoy67 wrote: »

Thank you for that last link it is something I will look in to

It might be worth a shot, and especially after Senator Mullen has now spoken on it.

I wonder will the papers carry it tomorrow?

Who knows.

Going Forward · 06-07-2016 07:21PM

jenny smith wrote: »

That is nonsense. Any qualified journalist should be able to investigate. Maybe they do not bother because they are up against a woman who does not want her daughters disappearance investigated for family reasons, a family split on it and probably more we do not know about

anyway what do you think the mainstream media can do. gemma o d made the film and what more can a mainstream person do

They are not "up against" that woman. She is irrelevant. A non entity.

They have no duty to placate her.

The investigation is not and cannot be directed by a victim's mother.

(EDIT:And I don't mean the media should be investigating it, I mean the gaurds, the media should be reporting on the garda investigation and allegations.)

An allegation of political interference has been made by 2 ex gardai.

I'd like to see the allegation reported in the print media and discussed on Prime Time or Vincent Browne.

jenny smith · 06-07-2016 07:25PM

Going Forward wrote: »

They are not "up against" that woman. She is irrelevant. A non entity.

They have no duty to placate her.

The investigation is not and cannot be directed by a victim's mother.

An allegation of political interference has been made by 2 ex gardai.

I'd like to see the allegation reported in the print media and discussed on Prime Time or Vincent Browne.

the media i mean not the garda. they may not want to bother with all the family infights and reluctance of the mother

The investigation is not and cannot be directed by a victim's mother

i know i said that too

jenny smith · 06-07-2016 07:29PM

I am not excusing rte and tv3 but i am sure they have their legal advisers. In fact as it is i wonder if the suspect could claim he is identified by inference and would that affect a trial

Going Forward · 06-07-2016 07:33PM

jenny smith wrote: »

I am not excusing rte and tv3 but i am sure they have their legal advisers. In fact as it is i wonder if the suspect could claim he is identified by inference and would that affect a trial

Not for reporting that an allegation of interference has been made.

Anyway things may be taking a turn for the better, media-wise:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/text/ireland/eyauidqlkfcw/

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/mary-boyle-case-documentary-alleges-political-interference-1.2711542

And Senator Mullen, today: scroll down,

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad2016070600002?opendocument#Prelude

And the documentary now has 40,000 views.

jenny smith · 06-07-2016 07:51PM

Going Forward wrote: »

Not for reporting that an allegation of interference has been made.

Anyway things may be taking a turn for the better, media-wise:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/text/ireland/eyauidqlkfcw/

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/mary-boyle-case-documentary-alleges-political-interference-1.2711542

And Senator Mullen, today: scroll down,

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad2016070600002?opendocument#Prelude

And the documentary now has 40,000 views.

Not for reporting that an allegation of interference has been made.

Don't know what this means.

Good to see times/examiner and seanad covering it.

Going Forward · 06-07-2016 08:21PM

jenny smith wrote: »

Don't know what this means.

It means there is nothing stopping them discussing the fact that an allegation of political interference has been made.

Just as we are.

They concentrate on the political end. That claim.

How could RTE not be able to discuss it whilst the Examiner and Times is??

Have we got crossed wires?

fryup · 06-07-2016 08:46PM

oranbhoy67 are you related to Mary Boyle? if so how old were you when she disappeared ?

TequilaMockingBird · 06-07-2016 10:45PM

Pisser wrote: »

is there a reason why sexual abuse has also been alleged ? Is it not more likely that the person went giving the child a hiding (as was very common back then) and went too far ?

Why would he give her a hiding?
Why would he get support to cover it up?
Why is it still being covered up?

missdock.1 · 06-07-2016 10:58PM

U tube ..... Mary Boyle the untold story.... Watch it....i find it disturbing in this day and age that this much corouption is still covering the truth, hoping somebody cracks and mary gets her headstone after 40 years

mikeymouse · 06-07-2016 11:05PM

fryup wrote: »

oranbhoy67 are you related to Mary Boyle? if so how old were you when she disappeared ?

post 56 read

oranbhoy67 · 06-07-2016 11:14PM

fryup wrote: »

oranbhoy67 are you related to Mary Boyle? if so how old were you when she disappeared ?

i was minus 3

fryup · 06-07-2016 11:16PM

why has your aunt changed her attitude to the case??

missdock.1 · 06-07-2016 11:47PM

Who is this FF member and why is he so protected, it's 2016 .... Nearly 40 yrs later, hope to god this documentary makes somebody crack

Jellybaby1 · 07-07-2016 12:50AM

Going Forward wrote: »

Bit naive to say the least.

But every other door was already closed.

On the mother's wishes:

But blocking an inquest isn't within her gift, alive or dead.

A relative does not initiate or prevent an inquest taking place.

Except in Donegal.

I'm a life long Dub in my 60's. The only thing I know about Pearse Street Garda Station is that it is one of the busiest in the country. For that reason it's the wrong place to go. If it were me, I'd have gone to HQ.

fryup wrote: »

a catholic priest knowing their track record in child abuse they'd be last people i'd go to

Of course, I understand you. But when I see all these other crimes on the news nightly, there is usually a priest interviewed when a tragedy befalls a family. In the 70's he would have been one of the first people called in I'm sure. Times have changed of course.

stuar · 07-07-2016 12:45PM

Here's a few links to news stories, I'd say every current sitting TD has heard of the Mary Boyle case yet it's still being covered up.

Frances Fitzgerald cannot open inquest into Mary Boyle case
Donegal schoolgirl’s relatives asked for case to be re-examined after 1977 disappearance
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/frances-fitzgerald-cannot-open-inquest-into-mary-boyle-case-1.2653740

Micheál Martin meets sister of missing Mary Boyle (6)
Ann Doherty raises concern over handling of her twin’s disappearance in Donegal 39 years ago.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/miche%C3%A1l-martin-meets-sister-of-missing-mary-boyle-6-1.2625257

Allegations of political interference in Mary Boyle investigation
Two former gardaí will allege, in a documentary to be released next month, that there was political interference in the investigation into the disappearance of Mary Boyle in 1977.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/allegations-of-political-interference-in-mary-boyle-investigation-399448.html

Why has Ireland's mainstream media turned its back on Mary Boyle?
Investigative journalist faces apathy as she seeks to reveal the truth about the disappearance of ‘Ireland’s Madeleine McCann’
https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2016/apr/29/why-has-irelands-mainstream-media-turned-its-back-on-mary-boyle

Mary Boyle’s disappearance and the 40-year fob-off
Broadside: Reporter Gemma O’Doherty believes there was political interference in the Garda investigation into the death of a child, and she just won’t let it go
http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/mary-boyle-s-disappearance-and-the-40-year-fob-off-1.2637996

Mary Boyle case: Documentary alleges political interference
Former gardaí say phone call stopped them securing confession from chief suspect
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/mary-boyle-case-documentary-alleges-political-interference-1.2711542

Missing child's sister meets FF leader over investigation claims
The twin sister of Mary Boyle, who disappeared in 1977, has met the Fianna Fáil leader to discuss allegations that a member of his party interfered with the investigation into her disappearance 39 years ago.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0426/784400-mary-boyle/

Was there a cover up in the 1977 disappearance of a little Donegal girl?
Investigative journalist Gemma O Doherty has uncovered more shocking revelations in the case of Mary Boyle, Ireland’s longest missing child case.
http://www.intallaght.ie/was-there-a-cover-up-in-the-1977-disappearance-of-a-little-donegal-girl/

So after all this time and the allegations made by 2 former Gardai there is still no political will to re-open this case or look into these allegations in any meaningful way, the current political establishment is as guilty today as it was 40 years ago, disgrace.

It seems the documentary has been getting media coverage which can only be a good thing, hopefully Mary's family will get justice.

jenny smith · 07-07-2016 03:02PM

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

I'm a life long Dub in my 60's. The only thing I know about Pearse Street Garda Station is that it is one of the busiest in the country. For that reason it's the wrong place to go. If it were me, I'd have gone to HQ.

Of course, I understand you. But when I see all these other crimes on the news nightly, there is usually a priest interviewed when a tragedy befalls a family. In the 70's he would have been one of the first people called in I'm sure. Times have changed of course.

That is a very good point re the priest. Regardless of abuse, any time there is a an accident or anything to this day, the local priest is the one who is on the news saying how "the community is devastated"

The gallaghers, her mother and uncles ,seem very comfortable in front of tv cameras if they are hiding anything. For ordinary country people not used to being on TV they are very relaxed

Purely on a speculative basis i wonder if the community considers itself self policing like the IRA used to police certain areas. it is a wonder they called the gardai at all. What was the point of calling the gardai if they did not intend to co operate with them

Going Forward · 07-07-2016 05:17PM

jenny smith wrote: »

That is a very good point re the priest. Regardless of abuse, any time there is a an accident or anything to this day, the local priest is the one who is on the news saying how "the community is devastated"

The gallaghers, her mother and uncles ,seem very comfortable in front of tv cameras if they are hiding anything. For ordinary country people not used to being on TV they are very relaxed

Purely on a speculative basis i wonder if the community considers itself self policing like the IRA used to police certain areas. it is a wonder they called the gardai at all. What was the point of calling the gardai if they did not intend to co operate with them

It doesn't matter, they were called.

If anything was admitted to anyone I'd guess it would not have been in the immediate aftermath of the family realising she was missing.

Any admission, albeit that theres no knowledge of any being made, was not going to be blurted out there and then IMO.

Also Mary was just a visitor to that house.

One of 11, that would have all been staying under the one roof.

On the self-policing, it does certainly seem possible given the wild west reputation the county has now, possibly more so back then.

What is the inference about the priest?

We don't know if he was called or not.

Nothing to be gained from speculating as to why he may or may not have been called IMO.

Going Forward · 07-07-2016 06:37PM

"Mrs Ann Boyle was in the kitchen of her parents' house when she discovered that her daughter Mary was missing. There was panic.

``I looked out the front door. The rest of the children were playing in a thicket in the front garden, Mary was not there.

My brother Gerry was fixing a stone wall in front of the house. I asked him did he see Mary, he didn't answer, he must not have heard me.

Ten minutes later I asked did anyone see Mary and Gerry shot off in his car down the road.

I remember in desperation asking my mother to light a candle.

I shook holy water all over the place. I felt so panicky and I remember I ran out to the rocks shouting and crying.

I hoped and prayed that God would protect her.

When Gerry came back to the house he said she had followed him earlier to the Cawleys' house and that she turned back.

I got into the car and drove along the road in different directions. It was a nightmare."

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mary-boyle-a-stolen-child-26259379.html

Does anyone ever remember hearing where did Gerry drive to and how long he was away for?

Surely it's relevant.........

groovyg · 07-07-2016 06:42PM

missdock.1 wrote: »

Who is this FF member and why is he so protected, it's 2016 .... Nearly 40 yrs later, hope to god this documentary makes somebody crack

There's alot of speculation about who the politician was, I think there were references made that Pat the Cope Gallagher might have been the politician that intervened but he's come out and said its not him. Interview on highland radio earlier.
http://www.highlandradio.com/2016/07/07/pat-the-cope-gallagher-says-he-isnt-the-politician-alleged-to-have-interfered-in-mary-boyle-case/

Going Forward · 07-07-2016 07:02PM

The only information regarding the last time she was seen comes from the last person to have seen her.

She may not have went on any walk with him.

Has the return of the ladder to the neighbour's house been corroborated timeswise, and what was the demeanour of the person who delivered it??

The neighbours must be mystified by Mary's disappearance too.....

oranbhoy67 · 07-07-2016 10:31PM

fryup wrote: »

why has your aunt changed her attitude to the case??

I dont like to call her my aunt I like to call her my late uncle's wife as petty as that may seem

Imo she has changed her attitude as the truth of the whole case sits far too close to home for her liking

oranbhoy67 · 07-07-2016 10:35PM

Going Forward wrote: »

"Mrs Ann Boyle was in the kitchen of her parents' house when she discovered that her daughter Mary was missing. There was panic.

``I looked out the front door. The rest of the children were playing in a thicket in the front garden, Mary was not there.

My brother Gerry was fixing a stone wall in front of the house. I asked him did he see Mary, he didn't answer, he must not have heard me.

Ten minutes later I asked did anyone see Mary and Gerry shot off in his car down the road.

I remember in desperation asking my mother to light a candle.

I shook holy water all over the place. I felt so panicky and I remember I ran out to the rocks shouting and crying.

I hoped and prayed that God would protect her.

When Gerry came back to the house he said she had followed him earlier to the Cawleys' house and that she turned back.

I got into the car and drove along the road in different directions. It was a nightmare."

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mary-boyle-a-stolen-child-26259379.html

Does anyone ever remember hearing where did Gerry drive to and how long he was away for?

Surely it's relevant.........

I asked Gerry about this, he denied this ever happened, I have this on video . its from a couple of months ago

he denies it but that is a direct quote from his sister

Therefore one of them is lying

Mrs cockett · 07-07-2016 10:36PM

Where was Mary's father when this took place? Surely he must have some say in the matter.

oranbhoy67 · 07-07-2016 10:37PM

Going Forward wrote: »

The only information regarding the last time she was seen comes from the last person to have seen her.

She may not have went on any walk with him.

Has the return of the ladder to the neighbour's house been corroborated timeswise, and what was the demeanour of the person who delivered it??

The neighbours must be mystified by Mary's disappearance too.....

from what I've been told of the neighbours they were extremely elderly at the time but I'm assuming they must've corroborated the story

oranbhoy67 · 07-07-2016 10:45PM

Mrs cockett wrote: »

Where was Mary's father when this took place? Surely he must have some say in the matter.

He was in the house too, he died in 2005, drowned while out fishing alone. and in all my 25 years till then of knowing him I never ever once heard him speak about the case, it wasn't something i was comfortable bringing up to him anyway but I was told from my family who lived here that that was always his way.. even in interviews it was always his wife did the speaking.

Now one of my aunties has died today sadly and the funeral should be on Sunday and I will have to travel out there with them all thinking I'm a blow-in rattling cages about this case , but I will go out and pay my respects and know that anything im doing I'm trying to do for the benefit of the cousin I never got to meet, that's maybe my own paranoia at work but as someone brought up in Glasgow im very awkward with the whole Irish funeral tradition as it is as I'm not used to it and I'm going to be very uncomfortable thinking about this now

Dtp1979 · 07-07-2016 11:02PM

oranbhoy67 wrote: »

I asked Gerry about this, he denied this ever happened, I have this on video . its from a couple of months ago

he denies it but that is a direct quote from his sister

Therefore one of them is lying

Jesus Christ I'm screaming on the inside. Does anyone else feel like " why isn't this being investigated properly "

Jellybaby1 · 07-07-2016 11:24PM

Going Forward wrote: »

It doesn't matter, they were called.

If anything was admitted to anyone I'd guess it would not have been in the immediate aftermath of the family realising she was missing.

Any admission, albeit that theres no knowledge of any being made, was not going to be blurted out there and then IMO.

Also Mary was just a visitor to that house.

One of 11, that would have all been staying under the one roof.

On the self-policing, it does certainly seem possible given the wild west reputation the county has now, possibly more so back then.

What is the inference about the priest?

We don't know if he was called or not.

Nothing to be gained from speculating as to why he may or may not have been called IMO.

Going Forward, may I ask you to read my post (below) when I brought up the subject of the local priest. As you will see below I inferred nothing except that he would have been the one person who might be able to sway the mother to change her mind regarding the investigation. I also mentioned in a later post that no priest seemed to be interviewed by the journalists as they always do after accidents. You see it regularly after an accident, or whatever, the priest who knows the family usually explaining the shock experienced by the people involved and the community at large praying for them. It's routine stuff for RTE. I just mentioned that this routine stuff wasn't particularly apparent in this case. I inferred nothing else. I hope you can see that.

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

Trial by media or social media cannot be right. But this case has so many things wrong with it, its about time there was a proper investigation. I was mulling over this during the last few weeks with Mary's face now firmly on my mind. I realised there is one very important person missing from the whole scenario who could have some sway to change the mother's mind. Someone who is called after every tragic accident, death, violence. Someone who is called to bring succour to families and who is always rolled out for the cameras and interviewed by journalists. The local PP. Anyone know if the PP was asked to be mediator? Just a thought really, as you would think this family would be quite religious.

Why did Gardai destroy possible burial site of Irelands longest missing child?

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