Gardai have this week issued a fresh appeal for information on mother of seven Barbara Walsh. The appeal coincides with the 35th anniversary of the Carna woman’s disappearance.
Mrs Walsh (nee Lydon ) was last seen at her home in Rusheenamanagh, Carna, in the early hours of June 22, 1985, and a missing persons investigation has remained active since then.
June 22, 1985 was a Saturday. The previous night, Friday June 21, Barbara Walsh held a party at her house in Rusheenamanagh. The last sighting of Barbara was at 4am at her home.
“An Garda Síochána in Galway will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Barbara’s disappearance,” lead investigator, Detective Sergeant Colm Mac Donnachadha, said this week. “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 added.
An Garda Síochána has been working closely with Mrs Walsh’s family, who 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 come forward.
“We are anxious to hear from anyone who may have seen Barbara or a person matching her description subsequently,” Detective Sergeant Mac Donnachadha continued. “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 Interpol in this investigation. A renewed appeal aired on CrimeCall on Monday, marking the anniversary of her disappearance.
Anyone with information can contact Salthill Garda Station on 091 514720, any Garda station, or the Garda confidential line 1800 666 111. They can also contact CrimeCall on 1800 40 50 60, Freetext 50123, or email [email protected].
