'The main thing is to have her return to us' — family of Newbridge woman Deirdre Jacob make appeal on anniversary of disappearance

THE family of missing person Deirdre Jacob are appealing to the residents of Newbridge and further afield to come forward with any information they might have linked to her disappearance 27 years ago this month.

Newbridge local, Deirdre Jacob, was only 18 years old when she was last seen by her family on the July 28, 1998.

The investigation has been ongoing for 27 years now and was updated from a missing persons case to a murder investigation with the DPP in 2018 – but stopped being pursued due to insufficient evidence.

“Since 2018, there have been a number of searches – one or two of them very high profile – but they haven't yielded very much. It's like an unfinished jigsaw.” Michael told Kildare Nationalist that he just does not know if Deirdre might still be alive or not.

“We just don't know – but the main thing is to have her return to us.” Although the case remains at a standstill – Deirdre’s father, Michael Jacob extended gratitude to his local community for their support and assistance throughout the years – and those further afield too.

“We've got unbelievable help from everyone in the community and further afield at the wider County of Kildare, and even further as well.” 

Michael is once again appealing to the public to come forward with any piece of information they might have around her disappearance to move the case forward – and hopefully bring her home.

He said: “We're appealing for any information. No matter how small it would be. The smallest and most insignificant piece can be of great benefit.” “The gardaí will be very sensitive to anyone coming forward,” he assured.

“The fact that they haven't come forward before now won't make any difference if they come forward with information.” “And even if they already came forward and had been interviewed, maybe it might be no harm if some people will come back again and go over the information again.” “The slightest piece of information can turn the case around,” he said.

Michael is urging anyone who might have noticed anything strange either on the day of Deirdre’s disappearance or the days and weeks following it to please get in touch.

On the day of her disappearance, Deirdre had errands to run in Newbridge town, a 25 minute walk from her family home in Roseberry. Her time in the town that day is well documented, with CCTV footage recovered from cameras outside the post office and AIB bank.

However, sometime after visiting her grandmother’s house in the town and making her way back to Roseberry, she disappeared – never returning home to her family.

She was last seen crossing the road towards the entrance to her home at Roseberry, Newbridge at 3pm on Tuesday, July 18 1998.

She is 5’3" in height, slim build with grey/green eyes and dark chin length hair.

She was wearing a navy v neck t-shirt with white trim on collar and sleeves, navy or black straight jeans and blue Nike runners.

She was carrying a distinctive black satchel type bag with long shoulder straps and the word CAT in large yellow capital letters on the side.

This bag has never been located and in addition to appealing for any information, Gardai are interested in hearing from anyone who has ever found or noticed a bag similar to this.

Anyone with any type of information – that might have noticed something strange around that time - get in touch with the Gardaí via the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or ring the Newbridge Garda Station on (045) 440 180.

“It's no harm to go over and over again, because the more times you turn something over in your mind you may well remember another little piece that slipped your mind earlier on,” said Mr Jacob.

“And that's what can make the difference.”