Mother of Missing Teenager Philip Cairns Passes Away with His Memory Constantly on Her Mind
Alice Cairns, mother of the missing Dublin teenager Philip Cairns, has passed away. Her son’s disappearance, nearly 40 years ago, remains one of Ireland’s most enduring unsolved mysteries.
Disappearance of Philip Cairns
Philip Cairns was just 13 years old when he vanished on October 23, 1986. That afternoon, he left his school, Coláiste Éanna, at 12:50 PM. He returned home to Ballyroan Road, Rathfarnham, for lunch. Approximately 40 minutes later, Philip took his bag and headed back to school but was never seen again.
Alice Cairns’ Legacy
Alice Cairns, originally from Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, died suddenly but peacefully on a Tuesday, as noted on Rip.ie. She was the cherished mother of six children: Mary, Sandra, Helen, Suzanne, Philip, and Eoin. Alice was also a grandmother to six grandchildren and had six siblings, along with extended family and friends.
Reflections on Philip’s Disappearance
In 2016, Alice revealed in an interview with RTÉ that she began to accept her son’s absence only after her husband’s death. She shared, “For a long time, we didn’t talk about him; it was too painful. Life had to go on with five other children.” Despite her loss, she always held out hope for news about Philip.
She described Philip as a quiet, normal boy who loved football and had a good sense of humor. His confirmation occurred just a few months before his disappearance, and he was remembered fondly by many who recognized him from photographs.
Calls for Information
In 2020, the Cairns family participated in an RTÉ Scannal documentary, where Mary Cairns, Philip’s eldest sister, appealed for any information regarding her brother’s case. She conveyed the family’s desire to bring Philip home and give him a proper burial.
Key Events Following His Disappearance
Six days after Philip went missing, his schoolbag was discovered in a lane near his school. Some books were missing from the bag. The case remains open, and authorities continue to seek any information. Those with details can contact Rathfarnham Garda station at 01 666 6500 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
