Mary Boyle
Six-year-old Mary Boyle vanished while walking across bogland to visit her uncle's house in County Donegal, Ireland. She is Ireland's longest-running missing child case.
On March 18, 1977, six-year-old Mary Boyle was visiting her grandparents' home in Cashelard, a remote area near Ballyshannon in County Donegal, Ireland. She followed her uncle across a field toward a neighbor's house. Her uncle turned back for a moment, and when he looked again, Mary was gone.
An immediate search of the surrounding bogland, fields, and lakes was conducted. The area was rugged and sparsely populated, with bogs that could potentially conceal a body. Despite extensive searches, no trace of Mary was ever found.
The case has been one of the most controversial cold cases in Irish history. Mary's twin sister Ann and other family members have publicly accused a family member of involvement in Mary's disappearance, creating a deep rift within the family.
Multiple investigations and reviews by An Garda Síochána have failed to result in charges. The case remains Ireland's longest-running missing child case.
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- FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
- NamUs (namus.nij.ojp.gov) — the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System accepts information on missing persons cases
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
- The local police department or sheriff's office in Ireland, or the state bureau of investigation
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