We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
HE WILL ALWAYS be missed and it will always be painful to think about that time and what happened.
The words of Helen Cairns, whose little brother Philip Cairns disappeared without a trace more than 29 years ago.
He was just 13 years old.
On 23 October 1986, Philip went to the nearby Coláiste Éanna Secondary School in Rathfarnham in Dublin like any other day.
At 12.45pm he returned to his home on the nearby Ballyroan Road for his lunch. He left the house at 1.30pm and was never seen again.
Helen was 17 when her brother went missing.
“I remember it was very busy with people calling to the house: police, reporters, family and friends,” she told TheJournal.ie.
Nobody really knew what to do or say. It was very confusing at the time. Our whole lives were turned upside down.
Eoin Cairns was just 11 when his big brother went missing. Speaking to TheJournal.ie, he said, “Relatives, neighbours and the community all rallied around us.
“I would have been closest to Philip in age and we shared a bedroom.
We were the two boys, we were our own pod in the family. We were the two boys and there were the four girls.
Almost a week after Philip went missing, his schoolbag was found in a laneway that links Anne Devlin Road and Anne Devlin Drive.
Philip’s geography book and two religion books were missing from the bag.
Eoin explains that it had been raining but the schoolbag was dry and in a spot that was very visible, so it would have been spotted in earlier searches if it was there previously:
“It had been raining that day, it was placed in clear sight in a place where there was a lot of footfall.
In that regard, considering where it was found, we thought it was the big breakthrough.
“We were kind of thinking, this could be it, we could find him.
We were thinking he could be back in his bed that evening. It was a case of waiting – but that hope that he would be found dissipated and weakened over time.
“We were hoping, but at the same time all we could do was wait.
There was a lot of confusion. What to feel? What to think? You felt helpless.
It’s now 29 years later and the case is still being investigated.
Eoin retains hope that his brother could one day return:
Maybe he was abducted and escaped and he was unable to return. It’s a possibility, however remote, that he may actually return home.
At the launch of the Garda’s missing children website, Philip’s mother, Alice Cairns, said his disappearance was very difficult to cope with.
When asked what she believes happened to Philip, his sister Helen said:
I don’t know. I don’t really like to think about that.
Reports of abuse and murder
In 2002, the Sunday Independent published an article which claimed that Philip was being abused by somebody outside his family and was murdered after he confided in another man about the abuse.
The article claimed that this man was also abusing children and alerted Philip’s abuser.
Speaking about the article, Eoin said, “It distracted people from coming forward or thinking back about connections, maybe something strange they noticed.”
From what I believe, journalists had undertaken the research, not gardaí. The gardaí are open to pursuing any lines of inquiry – I would imagine they investigated these allegations.
The article claimed that Philip was buried in a pond that is now built over with a tennis court and nursing homes. However, Eoin said this was not possible. “That pond was drained and built over before Philip disappeared.
I don’t believe it’s possible that Philip could have been buried there.
Last year, Philip Cairns senior passed away. Eoin said the disappearance of his son was something his father “compartmentalised”.
Speaking about how his Dad was quoted as saying that he believed Philip was probably killed to cover the tracks of a paedophile, Eoin said:
It’s not something he openly discussed with myself or the rest of the family.
“It’s a possibility, but it’s only one of the many theories, and it’s not the one we’re actively pursuing.
“We believe he was abducted, we have nothing to substantiate that opinion. We also believe that it’s a possibility that he could have disappeared of his own accord.
“What we were afraid of was people thinking, ‘Well, now we know, we don’t need to contact the gardaí’ and people feeling they don’t need to come forward.”
Cairns added that the case is open and gardaí are still actively investigating Philip’s disappearance.
Detective Sergeant Tom Doyle has been in charge of the case for almost 20 years.
He told TheJournal.ie that “in terms of recent developments that have happened in our country over the past 20 years, nothing is closed off”.
“If something is printed, people believe that and they sometimes then think that information they have, or something they remember, might be no use to us because they think we are looking at only one option.
We don’t know what happened, it’s a total mystery but I’m satisfied people still have information.
A young boy, even if he goes voluntarily, has to have assistance. It’s my belief those people are still alive and could solve this mystery.
Over 400 sightings of Philip were reported after he went missing and all of them were followed up.
In 2009, the entrance to a wooded area on Whitechurch Road in Rathfarnham was sealed off and searched when gardaí received a new lead. However, nothing was discovered.
Discussing how DNA could help to solve the mystery of Philip’s disappearance, Sergeant Doyle said, “We would love to think that DNA will be able to provide us with a profile in the future”.
However, he explained that the schoolbag has been “handled by many, many different people which makes it more difficult”.
He added that the next phase of DNA progress would be to phase out certain known DNAs.
The hope is that as DNA progresses, we’d be able to identify individuals.
Cairns described the gardaí working the case as “very proactive” saying:
“They probably contact us once every few months to touch base. They do keep us informed, as a courtesy.
We are very thankful and grateful for that and that it’s still an active and open case.
Sergeant Doyle also made a direct appeal to people involved in Philip’s disappearance, saying:
“If an accident is the cause of his disappearance, come in and talk to us.
We’re all getting older and wiser at this stage. Somebody might have a conscience and might want to talk about this.
Memories
Remembering her brother, Helen said, “Philip was still a child really, he was happy and pretty much care-free. He was very well behaved so he was never in trouble. He was the type of child that got on with everyone, very sweet and innocent.
There are songs that always remind me of him, songs that he liked.
Eoin says he looks back at the time he had with Philip with many fond memories. “Even just the memories of playing on the beaches and walking to school and back.
We used to go fishing with my Dad. The three of us would prepare on the Saturday night and go fishing on the Sunday. That was most weekends really.
“It’s always going to leave a mark, a shadow that he is not there to share the big celebrations – weddings, graduations, christenings – but you do have to try to build and get on with your life.
“In terms of his birthday, Christmas or any anniversaries, we would call around to my mum, just to be around.
We don’t need to formally remember him but just being there and being in the house. We know the reason we are there.
“We’d dearly love Philip to come home but in some ways you have to get on with the business of living, I’ve been very thankful for the life I had.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
For some reason I often think of Philip and his family, surely somebody has to know something & even at this late stage would they not consider coming forward & try and bring some sense of closure to his family? Of course it would be wonderful if Philip turned up alive but I know that is highly unlikely now.
Mary – You expressed exactly my thoughts. Nicely put, thank you.
I often think of him and his poor family as well. I was 17 and had just started in UCD. The police were around asking questions and there were posters up everywhere.
As a parent now (and having lost my scallywag 3 year old for half an hour once) my heart goes out to his family.
I don’t know how the person who harmed this poor innocent kid can live with themselves. They have no conscience. Maybe one day he’ll come forward and give the lad’s family closure
Went to the same school , his disappearance was never spoken about , hopefully one day ,his family will get closure! I Cant for a minute imagine what the family have gone through over the years but one thing is for sure , it’s an amazing community and people hold them in their thoughts always
That’s the problem with Irish society. Secrecy and quietness is still the norm. There should be posters up all over Rathfarnham and Templeogue every day all year, all the time. It should be brought up and discussed in local schools and public meetings every month every year etc. It should be psychologically hammered home on a daily basis to the perpetrators or perpetrator visually on signs on every road. Keep the pressure up until this person breaks before it’s too late.
Cannot imagine the family’s agony of not knowing
Gosh I was 17 when he went missing and I remember it so well. Cannot imagine the living nightmare it has been for his parents and sisters and brother. Someone out there knows something that’s for sure…
As a dad I can’t bear to think of the pain and anguish his mam and dad have gone through.
I hope at some stage the remaining family get some form of closure.
I hope the family can get some closure about what happened to Philip.
People please do not comment on this with your SPECULATIONS! Have some respect.
Seriously speculative comments, akin to comments on a whodunnit tv show..in my opinion.
‘Probably an urban myth’..why share a probable urban myth on a thread relating to a missing child?
‘could have been bullied ..killed by accident by fellow students..’ .. several hundred boys from Coláiste Éanna could be cast under a cloud by that statement.
There were priests that weren’t investigated? What about the butchers bakers and candlestick makers?the shopkeepers, teachers, plumbers, etc etc? Even if priests at that time were seen as above suspicion, I hope and indeed expect that, in view of what has since transpired in society, the investigating team(s) in the intervening years would have followed those lines of inquiry. (I accept that I could be misguided in my hope and expectation)
I hope the truth of Philip Cairns’ disappearance, and of all other missing people, will some day be revealed.
I remember the time poor Philip disappeared.
At the time in the 80′s, a series of disappearances occurred. They are possibly all linked, Deirdre Jacob, Annie McCarrick, Fiona Pender, Jo Jo Dollard and I think others also.
Let’s hope Phillip’s family and all these other families get closure someday.
he could have been bullied at school…and have been killed by accident by fellow students and the body hidden.
So sad, brave loving family, I hope they will get answers someday.
Could be the same thing happening here as what happen in England
If you mean the guards are covering up for someone important – I think you are right. Happened in Dun Laoghaire too.
When did it happen in Dun Laoghaire? Source?
A good case of DNA testing for everyone.
So many red thumbs???
Its not a green thumb competition, have some respect
I just have you another.
Maybe the GARDAI want to start talking;;; Im a neighbour;;; Suspicion surrounds the GARDAI IN Rathfarnham in relation to this case;;;; One of Philip’s friends Dad was a GARDA;;; Paedophile rings with Templeogue swimming pool,priests, Christian Brothers in Rathfarnham.. Where are the GARDAI !!!
Read what I have said om Facebook a few days ago .
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then these services may not function properly.
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to monitor our performance.
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you).
Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects.
Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests.
Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.
Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns.
Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you.
Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
have your say