A 64-year-old man from the west of Ireland was questioned at Mullingar Garda station as part of an investigation into the case of a six-year-old girl, Mary Boyle, who has been missing, presumed murdered, since her disappearance in 1977.
Assistant Commissioner for the Northern Region, Kieran Kenny said: “We are appealing for anyone with any information on the circumstances around Mary’s disappearance to contact us.
“Even something that people may have thought was insignificant at the time could help us advance the continuing investigation.”
Mr. Kenny said new evidence led to today’s arrest and that Mary Boyle’s mother is being kept informed of the latest developments.
He said a dedicated team were working on the investigation and today’s development is a direct result of new evidence which emerged following the most recent review of the case which began in 2011.
The man arrested is a convicted sex offender, who is currently serving a sentence at Portlaoise prison. He was arrested at mid-day on Tuesday by means of a Section 42 warrant which allows Gardaí to arrest people in prison.
He is being held at Mullingar Garda Station on suspicion of kidnapping and can be questioned for up to 24 hours.
The case of missing Mary has gripped the public for decades. Six-year-old Mary went missing from her grandparents’ home in Cashelard, Ballyshannon, on 18 March 1977. She had been playing outside when she followed her uncle across the fields near the house.
Gardaí have asked anyone with information to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071-9858530 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111.
