Ireland Gardaí renew appeal over 2000 murder of pregnant Sandra Collins in Mayo
Sandra Collins, a 28-year-old pregnant woman, was last seen around 11pm on 4 December 2000 at the Country Kitchen takeaway on George's Street in Killala, Co Mayo, and it is believed she was abducted and murdered. A 50-year-old man was tried for her murder and in 2014 was acquitted after a five-week trial at the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar, where the judge ruled there was insufficient evidence for the jury to find him guilty beyond reasonable doubt. On 4 December 2023, marking 23 years since her disappearance, gardaí issued a renewed appeal for information, and the investigation remains ongoing.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sandra Collins, a 28-year-old pregnant woman, disappeared and was murdered in Mayo.
- Where
- She was last seen in the Country Kitchen takeaway on George's Street in Killala, Co Mayo.
- When
- She was last seen around 11pm on 4 December 2000.
- Cause
- It is believed she was abducted and murdered.
- Other details
- She was wearing a pink fleece when she bought chips at the takeaway, and the fleece was later found by the local pier.
- Her brother Patrick said that after 20 years it was evident she would not be coming back.
- Charges
- A 50-year-old man was tried for her murder.
- In court
- In 2014 the man was acquitted after a five-week trial at the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
- The judge ruled there was insufficient evidence for the jury to find the man guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
- Investigation
- Gardaí issued a renewed appeal for information on 4 December 2023, 23 years after her disappearance.
- Gardaí are asking anyone whose circumstances may have changed to share relevant information, and the investigation is ongoing.
- Anyone with information can contact Ballina Garda Station on 096 20560 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSandra Collins, a 28-year-old pregnant woman, disappeared and was murdered in Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereSandra Collins was last seen in the Country Kitchen takeaway on George's Street in Killala, Co Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenSandra Collins was last seen around 11pm on December 4, 2000. (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)
- 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)
- 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)
The reporting
newest first- 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