Fresh appeal for Northsider missing 25 years

THE sister of a Northside man, who has been missing for quarter of a century, has made a passionate appeal for him to get in touch with his family.

Last Thursday, September 19, marked the 25th anniversary since Michael Farrell went missing while on board a ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke in Wales. Mr Farrell was a cinema manager on the ferry. 

Last week Mary Ramsay, who lives in Balgriffin, said she was hoping he might feel able to contact his relatives. “His beautiful granddaughter Hannah is now 16, and he has nieces and nephews that would love to know him. His friends all still talk about him fondly and ask if we ever heard anything of him,” said Mary.

“Both our parents are still alive and we would all love to hear from him. I know Michael had a close relationship with our parents. They still live in the same house and have the same phone number.

“We would also like to make him aware of a death in the family.”

In a direct appeal to her brother, Ms Ramsay said: “It’s okay to come home, or to get in touch.

“We are not angry in any way, we would just love to know that you are okay.”

On September 19, 1994, Michael was last seen at 10.30pm by a crewmember heading towards his cabin in the bottom of the ship.

Michael is described as 5ft 6ins tall, with blue eyes, short sandy hair and a moustache, and of a medium build, with a strong Dublin accent.

“Michael loves to laugh and has a great sense of humour, he loves music of all kinds,” said Ms Ramsay.

“He is a very gentle nature and had a lot of friends.

“He loves to look good and always looked after his appearance, and he wears a small ear ring in his left ear, and smokes a lot of cigarettes.”

Ms Ramsay added: “We miss him greatly. If anyone knows what happened or where he went but was afraid to speak up at that time, they can  do so now confidentially.”

Missing People, a UK-based charity, is helping Ms Ramsay. Its publicity coordinator Ian Roullier said: “Michael, if you are reading this, please call or text us on our free phone number, 116 000. It’s confidential and we can’t trace your call.

“We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe.

“The helpline is here to support people who are missing or thinking of going missing and their loved ones who are left behind.”

If anyone has seen Michael, they should contact Missing People anonymously by calling 116 000 or by emailing [email protected].

The charity’s helpline is operated by staff and volunteers. It is free to contact and open 24 hours a day thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Sightings and information about any missing person can also be given anonymously through the Missing People website at www.missingpeople.org.uk/sightings