Brother of woman who went missing in Waterford more than 30 years ago in emotional TV appeal

The case of missing woman Imelda Keenan who was last seen in Waterford city more than 30 years ago, was the subject of a renewed appeal for information on this month's Crimecall on RTE.

On the programme, members of the Keenan family and gardai renewed their appeal for information from members of the public as to what happened to Imelda, who was originally from Mountmellick in County Laois.

Speaking on Crimecall, Imelda's older brother Gerry Keenan said: "Imelda is on my mind 24 hours a day and the pain that we are enduring is much the same as the weekend that our sister went missing 30 years ago."

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Imelda who was the second youngest sibling in her family was described by her brother as being a very shy person with only a couple of friends, she also loved music and her favourite group were the Bangles.

Gerry said that any time he hears Eternal Flame, Imelda's favourite song by the Bangles, it still brings a tear to his eye. 

Imelda moved to Waterford city in the late eighties to do a computer course and she lived in an apartment on William's Street with her fiancé until her disappearance in 1994.

On January 3, 1994 at lunchtime, Imelda left her home to go to the GPO. However, January 3 of that year was a bank holiday and so the GPO was closed that day.

The last known sighting of Imelda was at approximately 1.30pm by somebody known to her along the Mall in Waterford city.

When Imelda did not return home later that evening she was reported missing by her fiancé and her brother Ned to local gardaí. 

Imelda's family searched for her for twelve days straight but to no avail her brother Gerry said they searched Tramore, a wooded area, people's parks and other locations but they did not find any trace of her.

Gardaí have asked anyone with information to come forward including those who already spoke to gardaí but may recall more details since then. They included an age progression image to show what Imelda might look like to as she would now be aged in her fifties (see below).

Imelda Keenan is 5 foot 3 inches tall and of slim build, she has dark brown hair and blue eyes. She would be fifty three years old if she is still alive today.

Gerry Keenan pleaded to anyone with vital information to come forward, he said: "Until I have the last breath in my body, I will keep searching."

Anyone with information is asked to contact 1800 40 50 60 or Free Text 'Crime' followed by your information to 7765 or email crimecall@garda.ie