This Monday, June 22, marks the 35th anniversary of 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.
A Garda investigation into the disappearance of the mother of seven remains active and An Garda Síochána are issuing a fresh appeal for information from the public in relation to this matter.
June 22, 1985 was a Saturday and that Friday night, June 21, Barbara held a party at her house in Rusheenamanagh in Carna.
The last sighting of Barbara was at 4am at her home.
Lead investigator, Detective Sergeant Colm Mac Donnachadha said, "An Garda Síochána in Galway will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Barbara’s disappearance. Carna is a close-knit Gaeltacht community and we believe there are people in that community who may have information that can help our investigation.
"We are conscious that we now live in a very different era to 1985 and perhaps now with that passage of time, people may feel more comfortable sharing that information with us,” Detective Sergeant Mac Donnachadha said.
An Garda Síochána have been working closely with Barbara’s family, and they want answers as to what may have happened their mother 35 years ago.
"We are appealing to the Carna community, and to those who may have lived locally at the time, who may know something - no matter what that information might be, and no matter how small - to please make contact with Gardaí” Barbara’s daughter Jackie Walsh said.
Barbara’s brother, Paraic Lydon and Barbara’s daughter Katherine Connolly are also encouraging anyone with information to please come forward.
Detective Sergeant Mac Donnachadha said, "We are anxious to hear from anyone who may have seen Barbara or a person matching her description subsequently. It has been 35 years and Barbara’s family deserve some answers.”
A full case review was conducted in January 2015 and as part of that review 114 lines of enquiry were generated and 66 individuals were interviewed.
A series of planned and structured searches were also carried out at that time by investigating Gardaí with the assistance of the Garda Technical Bureau.
An Garda Síochána is also liaising with our colleagues at Interpol in respect of this investigation.
There will be a renewed appeal aired on CrimeCall tonight, June 22, 2020 on RTE 1 at 9:35pm.
Anyone with information can contact Salthill Garda Station on 091-514720, any Garda Station, or by calling the confidential line 1800 666 111. They can also contact CrimeCall on 1800 40 50 60, Freetext 50123 or email crimecall@garda.ie.
