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'Get it off your mind': 20 years on, family of Deirdre Jacob plead for 'vital' information

Her family has called for the establishment of a dedicated garda missing person’s investigation unit.

THE FAMILY OF a woman missing from her Kildare home for 20 years have said they believe that one person has the key to help solve the mystery of her disappearance.

Last seen on 28 July 1998, the 18-year-old was seen walking into Newbridge town, Kildare to get a bank draft.

She had been due to start into her second year of teacher training in Twickenham in England, and had been on her way to send a rent deposit to her friend.

Now, on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, her family has described the pain of not knowing what happened to their daughter.

Her father, Michael Jacob, told TheJournal.ie: “It’s a big jigsaw and there’s one piece missing. We believe there is someone out there who knows what happened and that they have a vital piece of information. It has been a long and desperate 20 years for our family. But it has also been a long time for a person out there to hold on to information.

“Every time an appeal is made someone comes forward with a little bit of information. somewhere along the way we will convince that person with information to come forward.”

“If there’s someone out there with information – they’ve been holding onto it for a long while. It must bother them. Why not come forward now. It’s 20 years. Come forward and get it off your mind and you’ll feel better for it.

It may be one sentence that makes the difference – maybe an overheard conversation that helps solve what happened.

Michael, along with his wife Bernadette, also called on gardaí to establish a dedicated garda missing person’s investigation unit.

Chief Superintendent Martin Walker of Naas Garda Station said that there had been no significant breakthrough with the case in recent months and that he hopes the latest appeal will bring results.

jacob11 Deirdre

When last seen, Deirdre had been wearing a navy v-neck t-shirt with a white trim on its collar and sleeves, navy or black straight jeans and blue Nike runners.

She was carrying a distinctive black satchel-type bag with long shoulder straps and the word CAT in large yellow letters.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or Newbridge Garda Station on 045 431212.

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13 Comments
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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
    Favourite Michael Kavanagh
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    Jul 27th 2018, 1:52 PM

    Twenty years ……. My God, how time flies ……. I remember it so well from the time.
    That poor family ……. they were robbed of so much.

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    Mute John
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    Jul 27th 2018, 2:17 PM

    Having three daughters myself I can’t even begin to imagine the pain suffering and heartache that this family have gone through.

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    Mute Jenny
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    Jul 27th 2018, 2:58 PM

    I hope that someone who knows anything about the disappearance comes forward and helps to give the parents some closure.

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    Mute Tricksy
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    Jul 27th 2018, 3:34 PM

    If I remember right , she disappeared near her house ? Maybe diverted by someone known to her ? Absolutely terrible nightmare that this family have had to endure these 20 yrs , if someone has information they should come forward and not take it to meet their maker .

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    Mute Catherine
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    Jul 27th 2018, 4:45 PM

    Absolute nightmare for her family. From what I remember Larry Murphy was working in her house before she disappeared and was named as a suspect and questioned.

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    Mute A Pop Fan's Dream
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    Jul 27th 2018, 4:53 PM
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    Mute Ger
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:47 AM

    @Catherine: he was questioned about it while in prison but refused to answer any questions.

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    Mute Penelope
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    Jul 27th 2018, 3:19 PM

    Wonder did john crerar have anything to do with this young womans dissapearance … he lived not too far from where she did and he was found guilty of murdering Phylis Murphy

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    Mute Bernadette Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Bernadette Fitzpatrick
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:32 AM

    One man’s name springs to mind he worked in the area did work for her grandmother a cheque stub found showing payment to him .he murdered another woman did maximum time . I beleive he murdered this lovely young woman ….he won’t ever admit to it …..

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    Mute Ger
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:49 AM

    @Bernadette Fitzpatrick: did time or is currently doing time? Obviously don’t name him unless that information about the cheque stubb is public knowledge.

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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Jul 28th 2018, 12:38 AM

    Police should get third party to read file. There always some small detail missed. She has not been seen since which means somebody knows some thing. Where the bag was it found for DNA traces

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    Mute PaleoIreland
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:25 AM

    @Robin Tobin: yeah just get the bag and do some DNA testing. Case closed.

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    Mute Jay Brogan
    Favourite Jay Brogan
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    Jul 28th 2018, 12:17 PM

    Alan Baileys book Missing Presumed covers this story in detail. Worth a read.

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