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. 2559Missing person · Co. Cavan · 11 Jan 2025

Gardaí launch urgent search appeal for missing 17-year-old Melissa McDonnell from Ballinagh, Cavan

Melissa McDonnell, 17, has been missing from Ballinagh, Co Cavan, since Saturday 11 January 2025, and was last seen in Longford town on Saturday afternoon. Gardaí have launched an urgent search appeal for the public's assistance in tracing her whereabouts.

  1. Reported14 Jan
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMelissa McDonnell is 17 years old (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatShe is approximately five feet five inches in height with a slim build (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatShe has long black hair and blue eyes (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatIt is unknown what she was wearing when last seen (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereShe is missing from Ballinagh, Co Cavan (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereShe was last seen in Longford town on Saturday afternoon (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenShe has been missing since Saturday, 11 January 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí launched an urgent search appeal for the public's assistance (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe public is asked to contact Longford Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Jan2025
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai launch urgent search appeal for missing Cavan teenager

    Initial Gardaí urgent search appeal for the missing teenager, with physical description and contact details provided to the public.

    victim, Melissa McDonnell, 17, female, irish (judged from name)Melissa McDonnell