Appeal re-issued for missing Fermoy couple
Public assistance is again being sought in the investigation into the disappearance of Fermoy couple, Conor and Sheila Dwyer, which occurred 33 years ago this week, with the case featuring on RTE’s Crimecall on Monday.
Superintendent Michael Corbett, of the Fermoy Garda District, outlined that the Dwyer’s car, a white Toyota Cressida with the registration 5797 ZT that has not been seen since the couple went missing in 1991, something which is ‘critical’ to the investigation.
“The car is critical to the investigation. It is a white Toyota Cressida, 5797ZT was the registration number of it and I believe if we were able to locate this vehicle it would be a very significant development in the case,” he said.
Supt Corbett outlined that ferries and ports were checked at the time, as were garages and car dismantlers, but to no avail.
“There has been numerous searches carried out at various different locations, including the River Blackwater which runs through Fermoy and is a very significant river. Unfortunately, there has been no luck on that front.
“Besides the car, what we are appealing for here tonight is if anybody out there has any piece of information no matter how small or insignificant they may think it is, to please contact us.
“We are also aware that Conor and Sheila visited the Cobh area in county Cork on occasions and may have visited other locations around the country and if anybody recognised them or remembered them to please contact us. We want to bring closure for the family and the community in Fermoy,” he said.
LAST SIGHTING
While in Fermoy, Crimecall also spoke with retired Garda Chief Superintendent, Kieran McGann and local journalist, Ralph Riegel, to shed some light on the situation.
Patrick Massey, former landscaper who worked with Conor Dwyer on Castlelyons Estate, said that Conor had struck him as a ‘gentle, kind, honest and fair’ man, however, in early 1991, he began to notice a change in him.
“I think I noticed things beginning to change probably about three months before they disappeared. Something seemed to be troubling him. Conor was a very precise person, precise in his dress, precise in his timing, precise in everything. It was now noticeable that that wasn’t the case,” he said.
The couple were last seen together leaving St Patrick’s Church in the town on April 30 1991 and the following day, May 1, Sheila spoke with her sister briefly by phone.
On May 19, Sheila’s birthday, her sister tried calling her, but there wasn’t any reply. Soon after, both of Sheila’s sisters went to the house but found it empty. They reported the couple missing to gardaí on 22nd May.
Gardaí attended the couple’s home, where both passports were found along with £1,000 in cash, a substantial amount of money at the time.
Conor Dwyer was 62 years of age at the time of disappearance and Sheila Dwyer had just turned 60 in May 1991. Sheila was a housewife and is described as a quiet person who was in good health.
As a couple, while they are described as ‘having kept to themselves’, both were wellknown in the town and were always welldressed.
Conor worked as the caretaker in Castlelyons House, which was owned by a German businessman at the time. There was an array of high-valued cars on the property which he was often seen driving throughout Fermoy. He was well known in Fermoy and the surrounding areas and had previously worked as a taxi driver.
This remains an open and active investigation and there have been numerous reviews throughout the years. Lines of enquiries have been followed up in numerous different areas with the entire case being fully reviewed at this time. These enquiries have also led gardaí abroad; the River Blackwater has been searched on numerous occasions by the Garda Water Unit.
In a statement to The A vondhu this week, a Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí in Fermoy are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Conor and Sheila Dwyer who have been missing since April 30, 1991.
“Anyone who has any information into the disappearance of Conor and Sheila Dwyer is asked to contact Fermoy Garda Station on 025-82100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda Station”.