Anniversary appeal for information on missing schoolboy Philip Cairns
Gardaí are making a special anniversary appeal for anyone with information on the disappearance of schoolboy Philip Cairns to come forward.
It is now 30 years to the day since the then-13-year-old vanished on his way to school in Rathfarnham in Dublin.
A recently formed community group is staging a petition and rally this lunchtime to commemorate his disappearance.
The "innocence of an entire community was stolen" is how one local person described the disappearance of Phillip.
The Justice for Philip group describe themselves as a people-powered group who are planning a peaceful protest, petition and march at 1pm today.
They will be meeting in the car park of the Ballyroan Community Centre, before walking to leave flowers at the lane where Philip's schoolbag was found. They will continue on to Rathfarnham Garda Station to register their concerns.
Gardaí are also marking today's anniversary - with a new appeal for information.
An earlier appeal in 2011 led to several members of the public coming forward and gardaí say these people have been liaising with the investigating team on an on-going basis.
They say a number of lines of inquiry are being investigated.
Garda Superintendent Peter Duff says he believes there are people who were young at the time who may have information in relation to Philip’s school bag.
He has reassured anyone who comes forward that they will be treated sensitively and discreetly by investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Rathfarnham Garda station on 01 666 6500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
