Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0021Disappearance · Co. Dublin · 23 Oct 1986

Gardaí examining new information in Philip Cairns disappearance case

Thirteen-year-old boy Philip Cairns disappeared on the afternoon of 23 October 1986 while walking from his home on Ballyroan Road to Coláiste Éanna school in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. His schoolbag was found six days later in a laneway near the school with some books missing, but he has never been located. No suspect has been identified and the case remains unsolved after more than 40 years, during which Gardaí followed over 1,600 lines of inquiry. On the 40th anniversary in October 2026, Gardaí renewed their public appeal and are examining new information that emerged following recent media attention.

  1. Reported22 Oct
    3 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Philip Cairns, a 13-year-old boy, disappeared on the afternoon of 23 October 1986 while walking from his home to Coláiste Éanna school in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
  • He left school at 12.50pm, walked to his family home on Ballyroan Road, and at 1.30pm collected his schoolbag and left to return to school, but was never seen again.
  • Six days after his disappearance, his schoolbag was found in a laneway linking Ann Devlin Road and Ann Devlin Drive, with some of his books missing.
  • Philip was described as 5ft 2in tall with short black hair and was wearing his Coláiste Éanna school uniform when last seen.
Where
The disappearance occurred on the route between his home on Ballyroan Road and Coláiste Éanna school in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
When
Philip Cairns disappeared on the afternoon of 23 October 1986.
Investigation
  • The case remains unsolved after more than 40 years, with Gardaí having followed over 1,600 lines of inquiry.
  • On the 40th anniversary in October 2026, Gardaí renewed their public appeal for information and are examining new pieces of information that emerged following recent media attention.
  • Gardaí are specifically appealing to people who were young at the time of the disappearance and may now be able to come forward with information.
36 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPhilip Cairns went missing 40 years ago aged 13. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThat was the last his family saw of Philip, and he never made it back to school. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSix days after his disappearance, his schoolbag was found in a laneway near the school. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatWhen last seen he was wearing his Coláiste Éanna school uniform, a grey jacket with black shoulder corners, grey school trousers, grey shirt and school pullover. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPhilip was 13 years old at the time of his disappearance. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe was wearing his Coláiste Éanna school uniform when last seen. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatPhilip Cairns disappeared while walking from home to his school Coláiste Éanna in Rathfarnham. (rte.ie)
  • whatPhilip Cairns was 13 years old at the time of his disappearance. (rte.ie)
  • whatHe left school at 12.50pm and made the short journey to his family home on Ballyroan Road. (rte.ie)
  • whatHe later collected his bag and left to return to school but was never seen again. (rte.ie)
  • whatSix days after the disappearance, his schoolbag was found in a laneway near the school. (rte.ie)
  • whatSome of Philip's books were missing from the schoolbag. (rte.ie)
  • whatPhilip was described as 5.2ft tall with short black hair. (rte.ie)
  • whatWhen last seen he was wearing his Coláiste Éanna school uniform consisting of a grey jacket with black shoulder corners, grey school trousers, grey shirt and school pullover. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe laneway where the schoolbag was found links Ann Devlin Road and Ann Devlin Drive. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
  • whereHe disappeared while walking from his home to Coláiste Éanna in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe schoolbag was found in a laneway linking Ann Devlin Road and Ann Devlin Drive. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenPhilip disappeared on the afternoon of 23 October 1986 while walking from his home to Coláiste Éanna in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenPhilip left school at 12.50pm and walked to his home at Ballyroan Road, Rathfarnham. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenAt 1.30pm Philip gathered his schoolbag and left his house to return to school. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenPhilip Cairns disappeared on the afternoon of 23 October 1986. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe left school at 12.50pm and walked to his home at Ballyroan Road, Rathfarnham. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenAt 1.30pm he gathered his schoolbag and left his house to return to school. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenPhilip Cairns disappeared on 23 October 1986. (rte.ie)
  • investigationDespite an ongoing active Garda investigation, Philip has never been located. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationOn the 40th anniversary of his disappearance, gardaí are renewing their appeal to the public for information. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationOver the past four decades, gardaí have followed more than 1,600 lines of inquiry. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
  • investigationThe Garda investigation team have received and continue to receive contact and information from the public on a regular basis. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Garda investigation team continue to engage with the Cairns family. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe recent information is being examined and assessed to determine what, if any, evidential value it may provide. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAnyone with information is asked to contact Rathfarnham Garda station on 01 666 6500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationRecent information provided to the Garda investigation team is being examined and assessed for evidential value. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation team continues to engage with the Cairns family. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe disappearance has been the subject of significant media attention in recent weeks and months. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are examining new pieces of information about the disappearance. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe disappearance has been subject of significant media attention in recent weeks and months. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Oct2026
    Reportedrte.ie, follow-up
    Gardaí examining new information in Philip Cairns case

    Gardaí say recent media attention has brought new pieces of information to the case and they are appealing to the public, including those who were young in 1986, to contact the investigation team.

    victim, Philip Cairns, 13, male, irish (judged from name)Philip Cairns
  2. 23 Oct2026
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Gardaí renew appeal for information about missing schoolboy Philip Cairns

    40th anniversary appeal; Gardaí state over 1,600 lines of enquiry followed; recent media attention has generated new information being assessed; appeal specifically targets people who were young at the time and may now be able to come forward.

    victim, Philip Cairns, 13, male, irish (judged from name)Philip Cairns
  3. 22 Oct2026
    Reportedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Gardaí appeal for information on 40th anniversary of disappearance of Philip Cairns

    40th anniversary appeal renewed; over 1,600 lines of inquiry followed; new pieces of information emerged following recent media attention; gardaí appealing to people who were young at the time and may now be able to provide information.

    victim, Philip Cairns, 13, male, irish (judged from name)Philip Cairns