Brother of Sandra Collins pleads for her remains on 24th anniversary of disappearance in Killala, Mayo
Sandra Collins, 29, went missing in Killala, Co Mayo, on 4 December 2000 after going to a takeaway, and her case was upgraded to murder in 2010. On the 24th anniversary, her brother Patrick Collins issued an emotional appeal for her remains to be found so the family can bury her, while Gardaí issued a fresh information request.
- Reported4 Dec
2 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatShe was 28 years old at the time of her disappearance (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShe was pregnant at the time of her disappearance (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShe was wearing a pink fleece when she bought chips in the restaurant (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe pink fleece was later found by the local pier (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIt is believed she was abducted and murdered (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSandra Collins was aged 29 when she disappeared in Killala, Co Mayo, on 4 December 2000 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHer coat was found at Killala pier a few days after her disappearance (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA doctor confirmed to the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar that Sandra was pregnant at the time of her disappearance (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSandra gave birth in 1998 to a daughter who was later given up for adoption (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHer brother James died in a factory accident six months before she vanished (irishmirror.ie)
- whereSandra was originally from Crossmolina but was living 16km away in Killala to care for an aunt (irishmirror.ie)
- whenSandra Collins was last seen at around 11pm on 4 December 2000 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenShe went alone to a takeaway at around 11pm on the night of 4 December 2000 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDetective Inspector John Costello made the renewed appeal for information (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe public can contact Ballina Garda Station on 096 20560 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationHer missing person case was upgraded to murder in 2010 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí issued a fresh information request on the 24th anniversary of her disappearance (irishmirror.ie)
- courtIn 2014 a 50-year-old man was acquitted of her murder after a five-week trial at the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar, Co Mayo (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Patrick McCarthy ruled there was insufficient evidence for the jury to find him guilty beyond reasonable doubt (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA man was arrested and tried in 2014 for her murder and found not guilty (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSandra was the eldest of six children (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPatrick was 13 when his sister vanished (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Dec2024Brother of pregnant woman feared dead pleads for remains so family can bury her
24th anniversary appeal; brother Patrick Collins pleads for remains; Gardaí issue fresh information request; case upgraded to murder in 2010; a man was tried and acquitted in 2014; doctor confirmed Sandra was pregnant at the time of her disappearance.
victim, Sandra Collins, 29, female, irish (judged from name)Sandra Collinssuspect, male - 4 Dec2024Gardaí make appeal on anniversary of Sandra Collins' disappearance
Gardaí renewed their appeal for information on the 24th anniversary; details the 2014 acquittal of a 50-year-old man at the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar and quotes Detective Inspector John Costello's appeal to the public.
victim, Sandra Collins, 28, female, irish (judged from name)Sandra Collinssuspect, 50, male