Ireland Case No. 0021Disappearance · Co. Dublin · 23 Oct 1986
Gardaí renew appeal in Philip Cairns disappearance case in Rathfarnham
Philip Cairns, aged 13, disappeared on the afternoon of 23 October 1986 while walking from his home on Ballyroan Road to Coláiste Éanna in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. His schoolbag was found in a laneway near the school six days later, with some books missing. A woman told gardaí she saw Eamon Cooke, a radio DJ who died in 2016, hit Philip with an implement. Former Detective Sergeant Tom Doyle called for the case to be upgraded to a murder investigation in 2023, and on the 40th anniversary in October 2026, Gardaí renewed their appeal for information and are examining new pieces of information following recent media attention.
- Reported22 Oct
4 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Philip Cairns, aged 13, disappeared while walking from his home to Coláiste Éanna in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
- He was last seen wearing his Coláiste Éanna school uniform and was described as 5'2" tall with short black hair.
- When
- He disappeared on the afternoon of 23 October 1986, leaving his home at 1.30pm to return to school after having left school at 12.50pm.
- Where
- His schoolbag was found six days later in a laneway linking Ann Devlin Road and Ann Devlin Drive, with some books missing.
- Cause
- A woman told gardaí she saw Eamon Cooke hit Philip with an implement.
- Other details
- Eamon Cooke, a radio DJ, died in 2016.
- Doyle said there is nothing to suggest Philip Cairns is still alive.
- Investigation
- Former Detective Sergeant Tom Doyle, who led the investigation from 1998 to 2016, called for the case to be upgraded to a murder investigation in 2023.
- Gardaí have followed more than 1,600 lines of inquiry over four decades and are examining new pieces of information following recent media attention.
- On the 40th anniversary in October 2026, Gardaí renewed their appeal for information, specifically targeting people who were young at the time.
41 statements extracted from the articles
- whatPhilip Cairns went missing 40 years ago, aged 13. (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)
- 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)
- wherePhilip Cairns disappeared as he walked from his home in Ballyroan, South Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- wherePhilip was walking from his home to his school, Coláiste Éanna, in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- whereThe laneway where the schoolbag was found links Ann Devlin Road and Ann Devlin Drive. (rte.ie)
- whenPhilip Cairns disappeared on the afternoon of 23 October 1986. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whenPhilip disappeared on the afternoon of October 23rd, 1986. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- causeA woman told gardaí she saw Eamon Cooke hit Philip Cairns with an implement. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationTom Doyle says he has suggested upgrading the case to a murder investigation and still believes it should be. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationDoyle says upgrading the case could bring more resources to the investigation team. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationAnyone with information is asked to contact the Garda Confidential Line. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationPhilip has never been located, and the Garda investigation into his whereabouts is ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí have followed more than 1,600 lines of inquiry over the past four decades. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí believe people who were young at the time may now be able to provide information. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationRecent information provided to the Garda investigation team is being examined and assessed for evidential value. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOver the past four decades, gardaí have followed more than 1,600 lines of inquiry. (rte.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)
- investigationGardaí are probing new information in the Philip Cairns case. (extra.ie)
- otherDoyle says there is nothing to suggest Philip Cairns is still alive. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherCooke, a radio DJ, died in 2016. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe article was published ahead of the 37th anniversary of the disappearance. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherPhilip left school at 12.50pm and walked home to Ballyroan Road, Rathfarnham. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPhilip left his house at 1.30pm to return to school and was never seen again by his family. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSix days after his disappearance, his schoolbag was found in a laneway near the school. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSome of Philip's books were missing from the schoolbag. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
- otherThe disappearance has been subject of significant media attention in recent weeks and months. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Oct2026Gardaí probe new information in Philip Cairns case
Gardaí are probing new information in the Philip Cairns disappearance case.
victim, Philip Cairns, irish (judged from name)Philip Cairns - 23 Oct2026Gardaí 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 - 23 Oct2026Gardaí 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 - 23 Oct2026Gardaí 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 - 8 Oct2023Ex-garda calls for missing Philip Cairns' case to be upgraded to murder
Cold-case report on a disappearance from 1986. A former senior investigator calls for the case to be upgraded to murder and names Eamon Cooke as the main suspect. No arrests or charges are reported.
victim, Philip Cairns, 13, male, irish (judged from name)Philip Cairnssuspect, Eamon Cooke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eamon Cooke