Dundalk missing girl Ciara Breen focus of TG4 documentary

Ciara Breen, the Dundalk teen who went missing in 1997, is to be the focus of the first episode of a new TV series beginning on TG4 next Wednesday 1 May at 9.30pm. Ar Iarraidh is a new four-part documentary series by Midas Productions for TG4 which tells the stories of those missing through the eyes of their family and friends. 

These deeply personal interviews aim to give an insight into the heartbreak that each family has suffered and how they continue to live with this ongoing grief on a daily basis, whilst also trying to maintain some kind of hope. 

Each family has a unique story to tell as to how their lives changed forever, from the moment their loved one disappeared.

On 13th February 1997, Ciara Breen disappeared from her home in Bachelor’s Walk, Dundalk. She was never seen again. For over 20 years Ciara’s mother, Bernadette Breen, lived with the uncertainty of her only child’s faith, before sadly passing away.

A local man became the main suspect after there were concerns raised regarding the relationship he had with Ciara. Even with these concerns, there wasn’t enough evidence to make an arrest at that time. Regardless, the search for Ciara went on.

Years after Ciara’s disappearance, in 2015, a search took place in an area called Balmer’s Bog, after a new lead detective, Pat Marry, began investigating Ciara’s case.

On the night she disappeared, it was suspected that Ciara had been wearing a floral dress, so there was great hope when a dress matching that description was unearthed in the bog. The dress was photographed and placed in evidence. The investigators were hopeful that Ciara’s mother could identify this as her daughter's dress, although Bernadette could not confirm that it was.

Bernadette never got an answer to her final appeal. She died on the 28th of June 2018. Ciara and Bernadette’s remaining family are appealing to the public to come forward with any information they might have on what happened to Ciara that night. 

This programme looks at a family who continue to ask the questions their loved ones never got answers to. There will also be interviews with the now retired lead investigator on the case, Ciara’s former teacher, local journalists, and a former colleague of Bernadette Breen.

Ar Iarraidh – Ciara Breen airs on Wednesday 1 May at 9.30pm on TG4 and on the TG4 Player