QUIZ TWO PEOPLE.. & SOLVE CASE OF MISSING PHILIP, 13
Retired cop’s plea in 37-year mystery
Philip
EXCLUSIVE A RETIRED detective who headed the investigation into missing schoolboy Philip Cairns has urged gardai to quiz two people he believes hold key information.
Former Detective Sergeant Tom Doyle is calling on officers to question a man and a woman, who were teenagers when Philip vanished, as a matter of urgency.
He said the names – given to detectives at Rathfarnham Garda Station in 2021 – could rule the now deceased paedophile Eamon Cooke in or out as the prime suspect.
The information was given to gardai by Irish Sunday Mirror journalist Emma Mcmenamy, who unearthed new information while writing a book on the case.
RESEARCHING
She discovered possible links between the prolific child abuser and the 13-year-old while researching for The Boy Who Never Came Home.
Despite hundreds of leads over the years, there has been no trace of Philip since he went missing while walking back to school on the afternoon of October 23, 1986, in Rathfarnham, South Dublin.
His fabric satchel schoolbag was discovered six days later in a nearby laneway which had already been searched by officers.
One theory is that he was abducted and possibly murdered.
One of those Mr Doyle wants interviewed was a girl at the time of Philip’s disappearance who Cooke claimed helped him to search the Dublin Mountains for the missing youngster.
Mr Doyle, who spoke to Cooke on his deathhbed, said the paedophile revealed details about the teen’s disapperance which raised his suspicion.
He told the Sunday Mirror: “Nobody wants to see the investigation rest when people have been identified with potential information that could move the case forward.
“The information provided requires, if not already complete, a follow up including interviews where necessary.
“There are two people in particular who need to be interviewed as a matter of urgency.”
He added: “It is my personal view that Eamon Cooke remains a suspect and there are people out there who have information and can help.”
In documents written by Cooke back in 2001, he referenced Philip’s case and outlined searching for the missing boy.
He wrote: “Back in the ‘80s, I rented a piece of land at Stepaside for one of the radio transmitters. I was to spend months up and down to Stepaside to try and improve the signal there and most times I would go in an old jeep through Ticknock Forest.
“Two days after the disappearance of a young schoolboy, Philip, in the area, I went up to Stepaside and saw the tracks of an ordinary car through the forest...
“There were no forestry workers in the area so my first thought was the missing schoolboy. On my way home, I called into Rathfarnham station to tell them of the car tracks.
“They said they had a lot of reports of the boy being seen and they would follow my report up as well.
“No one ever did and I spent the next year searching most of the mountainside, sometimes with (name given), but found nothing.”
Gardai would not divulge how many lines of enquiry were currently open in the case but said they continue to appeal for anyone with information to come forward. In a statement to the Sunday Mirror, gardai said: “The garda investigation into the disappearance of Philip Cairns remains active and ongoing.
SENSITIVITY
“There may still be people who may have information in relation to Philips’ disappearance or Philip’s school bag and for whatever reason did not come forward previously.
“Following the passage of time and changing circumstances these people may now be in a position to assist us.
“An Garda Siochana wants to reassure anyone who comes forward that they will be treated sensitively and discreetly by investigating Gardai.
“Even the smallest piece of information, which may seem insignificant, may assist the investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Rathfarnham Garda station on 01 666 6500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.