Issue Date: 22nd June 2021
Tá impí úrnua á dhéanamh ag an nGarda Síochána agus Coscairí Coireanna ar eolas faoi Barbara Bhreathnach (iníon Uí Loideáin), 33 bliain d’aois agus a d’imigh ar iarraidh óna baile i Roisín na Mainiach, Carna, Contae na Gaillimhe an Meitheamh 22 1985 ag thart ar 4am.
Déantar cuimhneachán Dé Máirt, an 22 Meitheamh 2021 ar chothrom 36 bliain ó d’imigh Barbara, máthair sheachtair, ar iarraidh. Tá impí á déanamh inniu ag an nGarda Síochána agus le Coscairí Coireanna san imscrúdú seo.
Tá impí á déanamh ag an nGarda Síochána ach go háirithe ar phobal níos fairsinge Charna dá gcúnamh, agus creideann siad go bhfuil eolas ag daoine aonair sa phobal Gaeltachta seo a d’fhéadfadh roinnt freagraí a thabhairt do mhuintir Barbara.
Chuir Barbara cóisir ar siúl ag a teach i Roisín na Mainiach Dé hAoine, an 21 Meitheamh 1985. Chonacthas í an uair dheireanach ag a teach ag 4am an 22 Meitheamh 1985. Ní fhaca a teaghlach í ná ní raibh aon teagmháil léi ó shin.
Bhí an Garda Síochána i nGaillimh ag oibriú go dlúth le muintir Barbara le himeacht na mblianta. Teastaíonn ó leanaí, siblíní agus teaghlach sínte Barbara a bheith eolach ar an méid a tharla do Barbara.
Dúirt an Bleachtaire Sáirsint Colm Mac Donnachadha, "Leanann an Garda Síochána i nGaillimh le himscrúdú a dhéanamh ar na cúinsí a bhaineann le himeacht ar iarraidh Barbara. Leantar leis seo a imscrúdú go fóill agus táimid buíoch den phobal as an gcúnamh a fuaireamar go dtí seo.”
"Pobal dlúth Gaeltachta é Carna agus creidimid go bhfuil daoine sa phobal seo a bhféadfadh eolas a bheith acu ar féidir leis cabhrú lenár n-imscrúdú. Táimid ag impí ar na daoine sa phobal timpeall ar Roisín na Mainiach teagmháil a dhéanamh linn má bhíonn aon phíosa eolais acu, is cuma cé chomh beag atá sé agus a cheadú don Gharda Síochána a thábhachtaí atá sé chun an rúndiamhair seo a mheas”.
"Tuigimid go mairimid anois i ré an-éagsúil ón mbliain 1985 agus b’fhéidir go mbraitheann daoine níos compordaí eolas a roinnt linn anois i ndiaidh go bhfuil an oiread sin ama imithe thart.
"Ba mháthair agus bean chéile dhílis í Barbara Bhreathnach agus chuir a himeacht ar iarraidh imní agus buairt an-mhór ar a teaghlach óg atá ina ndaoine fásta agus ina dtuismitheoirí iad féin anois. Agus a breithlá 70 bliain d’aois ag druidim linn, iarraimid orthu siúd a bhfuil eolas acu, is cuma cé neamhthábhachtach a cheapann siad atá sé, chun teagmháil a dhéanamh linn.
"Trí oibriú as lámh le Coscairí Coireanna mar chuid den impí seo, d’fhéadfaí suim airgid a bhronnadh orthu siúd a bhfuil eolas acu má thiocfaidh forbairt ar an gcás de bharr an eolais sin. Spreagtar duine ar bith a bhfuil eolas acu teagmháil a dhéanamh le líne ghutháin rúnda Choscairí Coireanna trí ghlaoch ar 1800 250 025, nó, mar mhalairt air sin, is féidir leat teagmháil a dhéanamh le do stáisiún Gardaí áitiúil,” a dúirt an Bleachtaire Sáirsint Mac Donnachadha.
Dúirt iníon Barbara, Jacqueline Walsh, "Tá a fhios againn nár fhág ár máthair muid ar maidin an 22 Meitheamh 1985. Bhí sé ina ualach mór orainn mar theaghlach, ar feadh na mblianta seo ar fad, nárbh fhios dúinn céard a tharla di. Ní theastaíonn uainn ach fios a bheith againn cá bhfuil sí chun gur féidir linn í a thabhairt abhaile, agus í a adhlacadh.
"Impímid ar dhuine ar bith a bhfuil eolas acu - seo é an t-am teagmháil a dhéanamh linn. Teastaíonn uainn ár máthair a bheith againn arís, tá muid ag iarraidh fáil amach céard a tharla ar an 22 Meitheamh 1985, agus teastaíonn uainn go dtiocfaidh an t-eolas sin chun solais, is cuma cad a d’fhéadfadh a bheith i gceist leis sin,” a dúirt sí.
Tugadh faoi athbhreithniú iomlán ar an gcás in Eanáir 2015. Thug na Garda imscrúdaithe faoi shraith phleanáilte cuardach freisin ag an tráth sin, agus ó shin i leith, le cúnamh ó Bhiúró Teicniúil an Gharda Síochána agus ó mhadra corpán ón Ríocht Aontaithe agus ó antraipeolaí fóiréinseach. Tugadh faoi líon mór cuardach i gceantar Roisín na Mainiach agus leanfaidh an Garda Síochána ag gníomhú i leith aon eolais ar féidir leis an bpobal a sholáthar ag féachaint le freagraí do mhuintir Barbara a dteastaíonn go géar uathu a máthair a aimsiú.
Tá idirchaidreamh á dhéanamh ag an nGarda Síochána le Interpol maidir leis an imscrúdú seo agus níorbh fhéidir leo teacht ar aon eolas a thabharfadh le fios gur fhág Barbara Bhreathnach an dlínse seo.
Is féidir le haon duine a bhfuil eolas acu teagmháil a dhéanamh le Coscairí Coireanna ar 1800 250 025, Stáisiún Gardaí Bhóthar na Trá ar 091-514720 nó aon Stáisiún Gardaí trí ghlaoch ar an líne rúnda ar 1800 66 111.
Nóta don Eagarthóir:
Tá grianghraf de Barbara ceangailte leis an bpreaseisiúint seo.
Tá urlabhraí an Gharda Síochána ar fáil inniu chun agallamh a dhéanamh ach iad a iarraidh trí ríomhphost a sheoladh chuig pressoffice@garda.ie.
***
Renewed Appeal for information on the disappearance of Barbara WalshJune 22 marks 36 years since Barbara was last seen
An Garda Síochána and Crimestoppers are issuing a renewed appeal for information into the disappearance of 33 year-old Barbara Walsh (nee Lydon), who went missing from her home in Rusheenamanagh, Carna Co Galway on June 22, 1985 at approximately 4am.
Tuesday June 22, 2021 marks the 36th anniversary of the disappearance of Barbara, who was a mother of seven. Today An Garda Síochána are issuing an appeal with Crimestoppers in this investigation.
In particular An Garda Síochána are appealing to the wider Carna community for their assistance, and believe that individuals in this Gaeltacht community have information which may provide Barbara’s family with some answers.
On Friday June 21, 1985 Barbara held a party at her house in Rusheenamanagh in Carna. She was last seen at her home at 4am on June 22, 1985. Her family have not seen or heard from her since.
An Garda Síochána in Galway have been working closely with Barbara’s family over the years. Barbara’s children, siblings and extended family want to know what happened to Barbara.
Detective Sergeant Colm Mac Donnachadha said, "An Garda Síochána in Galway continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Barbara’s disappearance. This continues to be a live investigation and we are grateful to the public for the assistance we have gotten to date.”
"Carna is a close-knit Gaeltacht community and we believe there are people in this community who may have information that can help our investigation. We are appealing to the people in the community surrounding Rusheenamanagh to come forward with any piece of information however small and allow An Garda Síochána to evaluate its importance in unlocking this mystery”.
"We are conscious that we now live in a very different era to 1985 and now with that passage of time, people may feel more comfortable sharing information with us.
"Barbara Walsh was a dedicated mother and wife and her disappearance has caused great anxiety and worry to her young family who are now adults and parents themselves. Ahead of what would be her 70th birthday, we are asking those with information, no matter how insignificant they think it is, to make contact with us.
"By partnering with Crimestoppers as part of this appeal, those with information may benefit from a cash reward for supplying information that leads to a significant development in the case. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Crimestoppers confidential phone line 1800 250 025, or alternatively you can contact your local Garda station,” Detective Sergeant Mac Donnachadha said.
Barbara’s daughter, Jacqueline Walsh said, "We know our mother did not leave us on the morning of June 22, 1985. Not knowing what has happened to her all these years has taken a significant toll on us all as a family. We just want to know where she is so we can bring her home, and lay her to rest.
"We are appealing to anyone who has information - now is the time to come forward. We want our mother back, we want to know what happened on June 22, 1985, and we want that information to come to light, no matter what that might mean,” she said.
A full case review was conducted in January 2015. A series of planned searches were also carried out at that time, and since, by investigating Gardaí with the assistance of the Garda Technical Bureau and cadaver dog from the UK and also a forensic anthropologist. A large number of searches have been carried out in the area of Rusheenamanagh and An Garda Síochána will continue to act on any information that the public can provide with a view to finding answers for Barbara’s family who are desperate to find their mother.
An Garda Síochána is also liaising with Interpol in respect of this investigation and have been unable to find any information which would indicate that Barbara Walsh left this jurisdiction.
Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 1800 250 025, Salthill Garda Station on 091-514720, any Garda Station, the confidential line 1800 666 111.
