THE father of missing Newbridge teenager Deirdre Jacob has made a fresh appeal this week in the search for his missing daughter.
As the 16th anniversary of her disappearance approaches Michael Jacob says the family is always hopeful.
Deirdre was 18 at the time she went missing as she walked from Newbridge to the family home on 28 July 1998. The trainee teacher had been visiting her grandmother a short distance from her home.
“We have no reason to give up hope,” said Michael. “It is an open case with the gardaí. Surely someone has a piece of information, noticed something or is aware of activities at the time.”
The Serious Crime Review Team based at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken on Deirdre’s case for a complete review of all of the information collected and interviews from the time. The bureau was set up to investigate unsolved homicides or other serious crimes in Ireland.
“It’s a serious check back over everything in case something was missed,” he added. “It might prompt someone who is the holder of some information to come forward. It will be a slow process looking back on everything but hopefully something will come of it or that it will prompt someone to come forward.”
He made the appeal this week with the help of local gardaí in Newbridge. Sgt Seamus Rothwell, who has been investigating Deirdre’s disappearance for the past 16 years, said he believes someone out there has a piece of vital information that will help solve the case.
“Whether they are afraid to come forward or they don’t realise it is vital information, I believe someone out there can help us find out what happened to Deirdre,” he said.
“It may be 16 years ago but not a minute of a day goes by that her family are not thinking about or we are actively searching for Deirdre.”
The Serious Crime Review Team can be contacted on 01-666344, Newbridge garda station is 045 431212, the garda confidential line is 1800 666111 or Crimestoppers is 1800 250025.
