Missing Mary Boyle’s last words are shared for the first time

The story under the Scannal lens in the second episode is the unsolved case of Mary Boyle who disappeared at age 6, from her grandparents’ farm in Cashelard, Ballyshannon on March 18, 1977. 

Mary’s mother and sister reflect on the disappearance of a beloved daughter and sister and the impact it has had and continues to have, on the family. Mary’s mother Anne revealed her last words, “Just before dinner time Mary said to me, ‘Mum I forgot to kiss you this morning’, and she threw her arms around me and gave me a kiss. Little did I know that it was the last one.” 

The disappearance resulted in one of the largest searches ever seen in Ireland. Hundreds of local people, soldiers, gardaí and divers searched for Mary for weeks, but not a single trace was ever found of the little girl. 

For decades there have been rumours and insinuations about what might have happened to little Mary, but 46 years later, her family is still looking for answers. She is Ireland’s longest-missing child.

In this episode of Scannal, Mary’s twin sister, Ann Doherty, and mother, Ann Boyle, speak about the shock of her disappearance, the heartache of not knowing what happened to her and their constant hope of one day finding Mary.

Ann Doherty, Mary’s sister says “If someone has any information at all, they may think it is of no importance, but it could be the final piece of the jigsaw that we need to find Mary’s body and for them to put an end to this torture for my family.”

Anyone with information about Mary Boyle’s disappearance can contact Ballyshannon Garda station at  0719858530.

The four-part series continues on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Tuesday at 7 pm.