Ireland Case No. 2806Murder (missing person, case upgraded to murder) · Co. Mayo · 4 Dec 2000
Fresh appeal in Sandra Collins murder case in Mayo
Sandra Collins, a 28-year-old pregnant woman, was last seen at the Country Kitchen takeaway in Killala, Co Mayo, at around 11pm on 4 December 2000 and is believed to have been abducted and murdered. Her pink fleece was found at Killala pier four days later. The case was upgraded to murder in 2010, and in 2014 a 50-year-old man was acquitted after a five-week trial at the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar. Gardaí issued a fresh appeal for information on the 25th anniversary of her disappearance in December 2025.
- Reported4 Dec
3 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sandra Collins, a 28-year-old pregnant woman (reports differ on her age as 28 or 29), was last seen at the Country Kitchen takeaway in Killala, Co Mayo, on 4 December 2000 and is believed to have been abducted and murdered.
- Her pink fleece was found at Killala pier four days after her disappearance, with sausages she had bought for her aunt still in the pocket.
- Where
- She was last seen at the Country Kitchen on George's Street, Killala, Co Mayo, at approximately 11pm.
- When
- She was last seen at around 11pm on Monday 4 December 2000.
- Cause
- It is believed she was abducted, murdered and buried in a shallow grave.
- Investigation
- Her missing person case was upgraded to murder in 2010.
- Gardaí issued a fresh appeal for information on the 25th anniversary of her disappearance in December 2025.
- In court
- In 2014, a 50-year-old man was acquitted of her murder after a five-week trial at the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar, with Judge Patrick McCarthy ruling there was insufficient evidence.
- Other details
- Sandra was originally from Crossmolina and was living in Killala to care for an aunt.
- Her brother Patrick Collins said the family no longer seeks justice but wants to find her remains so they can bury her.
- A doctor confirmed to the Central Criminal Court that Sandra was pregnant at the time of her disappearance.
53 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSandra Collins, a 28-year-old pregnant woman, disappeared and was murdered in Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí are investigating the disappearance and murder of Sandra Collins. (galwaydaily.com)
- 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)
- 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 Collins was last seen in the Country Kitchen takeaway on George's Street in Killala, Co Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereShe was last seen at the Country Kitchen premises on George's Street, Killala, Co Mayo. (galwaydaily.com)
- whereSandra was originally from Crossmolina but was living 16km away in Killala to care for an aunt (irishmirror.ie)
- whereShe was last seen in Killala, Co Mayo, at about 11pm at the Country Kitchen on George's Street. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenSandra Collins was last seen around 11pm on December 4, 2000. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenSandra Collins was last seen at about 11pm on Monday 4 December 2000. (galwaydaily.com)
- 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)
- whenSandra Collins was last seen on 4 December 2000, 25 years before the appeal. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeIt is believed that Sandra Collins was abducted and murdered. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí have issued a renewed appeal for information. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing to anyone whose circumstances may have changed over the past 23 years to share relevant information. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is ongoing after 23 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAnyone with information is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station on 096 20560 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe search for Sandra has continued for 23 years and the investigation remains active. (galwaydaily.com)
- investigationGardaí are asking anyone with information, including information they thought was insignificant at the time, to come forward. (galwaydaily.com)
- investigationGardaí are also appealing to anyone whose circumstances have changed in the past 23 years and who can now share relevant information. (galwaydaily.com)
- investigationGardaí continue to liaise closely with the Collins family about the investigation. (galwaydaily.com)
- 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)
- investigationHer fleece was found on the pier in Killala four days later. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationSausages she bought for her aunt on the day she disappeared were still in the fleece pocket. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationIt is believed she was abducted, murdered and buried in a shallow grave. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationShe has never been found and the case was upgraded to murder in 2010. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Killala investigation team. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDetective Inspector John Costello said passage of time may make people more willing to share information. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtIn 2014, a 50-year-old man was acquitted of the woman's murder after a five-week trial at the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar, Co Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge ruled there was insufficient evidence for the jury to find the man guilty beyond reasonable doubt. (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)
- courtA Mayo man charged with her murder in 2014 was acquitted on the order of the trial judge due to lack of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSandra Collins was wearing a pink fleece when she bought chips in the restaurant. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe pink fleece was later found by the local pier. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSandra's brother Patrick said that after 20 years it was evident Sandra would not be coming back. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAnyone with information can contact Ballina Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Line or any Garda station. (galwaydaily.com)
- otherSandra was the eldest of six children (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPatrick was 13 when his sister vanished (irishmirror.ie)
- otherShe was living in the village with her aunt, whom she cared for. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe family said they no longer seek justice but only want to bring her home. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Dec2025Gardai make fresh appeal in Sandra Collins murder probe
Fresh Garda appeal for information on the 25th anniversary of Sandra Collins's disappearance, with comments from the senior investigating detective and her family.
victim, Sandra Collins, 28, female, irish (judged from name)Sandra Collins - 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 - 5 Dec2023Gardaí renew appeal for info on anniversary of Sandra Collins' disappearance - Galway Daily
Renewed public appeal on the 23rd anniversary of Sandra Collins's disappearance. The article names no suspect or arrest and asks anyone whose circumstances have changed to come forward.
victim, Sandra Collins, female, irish (judged from name)Sandra Collins - 4 Dec2023Gardai issue new appeal over cold-case murder of pregnant 28-year-old
Renewed Garda appeal marking 23 years since Sandra Collins's disappearance, with appeal details, the pink fleece and pier discovery, and the 2014 acquittal of a 50-year-old man at Central Criminal Court in Castlebar.
victim, Sandra Collins, 28, female, irish (judged from name)Sandra Collinsaccused, 50, male