MISSING PHILIP’S CASE IS MURDER
Ex cop says there’s no evidence boy, 13, last seen in 1986 is alive
A TOP cop who led the investigation into missing schoolboy Philip Cairns believes the case should be upgraded to murder.
Former Detective Sergeant Tom Doyle, who retired from the force in 2016, said there is no evidence to suggest the teenager is still alive.
The 13-year-old disappeared as he walked from his home in Ballyroan, South Dublin, on the afternoon of October 23, 1986.
Doyle, who headed the investigation at Rathfarnham Garda station from 1998 to 2016, said the case should be reclassified as a murder inquiry like that of missing teenager Deirdre Jacobs.
Speaking to the Irish Sunday Mirror ahead of the 37th anniversary later this month, Doyle said he believes a murder probe would see more resources thrown at it. He added: “I suggested in the past that it should be upgraded to a murder investigation and I still believe that to be the case. “Unfortunately, and very sadly, there is nothing to suggest Philip is still alive after all these years. “The fact that nobody has come forward to suggest otherwise would lead me to believe he may have been killed. “Other missing person cases have been upgraded to murder without the discovery of a body so I don’t see why Philip’s can’t. “I believe upgrading the case could see more resources being made available to the investigation team.” Doyle, who was one of two officers tasked with quizzing paedophile Eamon Cooke on his hospice deathbed, said the predator should be a top suspect in the boy’s disappearance. He said the perverted radio DJ, who died in 2016, revealed details which corroborated a story told by a woman who came forward with information that year claiming Cooke had abducted the teenager and hit him over the head at his studio.
The woman, who was terrified of Cooke, made a formal statement about what she saw as a nine-year-old when she realised the convicted paedophile was dying.
She said she was in a car with Cooke on the day he picked up Philip in October 1986 before driving them both to Radio Dublin’s studios.
There, it is understood, she told gardai that a row broke out and she saw Cooke hit Philip with an implement of some sort, she became upset and fainted while running away.
When she awoke, she was sitting in the back of Cooke’s car and there was no sign of the boy who she later believed to be Philip.
Doyle added: “He [Cooke] has to be the number one suspect and not just a person of interest.
“I believe the woman who came forward was 100% telling the truth. She wanted to help with the investigation and had nothing whatsoever to gain by coming forward.
“What Cooke said when interviewed lined up exactly with what this woman had said which would lead me to believe he knew a lot more about what happened to Philip.
“There were details he mentioned about Philip’s school bag which corroborated what the woman had said too, down to the last detail.”
Doyle said despite the long passage of time he would still encourage anyone with information they believe might help to solve the case to come forward. He said “there is no doubt that people out there know what happened to Philip on that day in 1986”.
He added: “It is never too late to get something which you may know off your chest. Philip’s family deserve answers.
“Please do the right thing and come forward and help to end their pain.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111.
Upgrading the case could see more resources being made available