Family of missing Amy: Someone with a heart, please help
The aunt of missing teenager Amy Fitzpatrick marked the 10th anniversary of her disappearance by calling for someone "with a heart" to come forward with information about what happened to her.
Christine Kenny released doves outside Dublin's Mansion House yesterday to mark a decade since her then 15-year-old niece vanished as she walked home from a friend's house in the Spanish resort of Mijas Costa, near Malaga on New Year's Day 2008.
"All we need is for someone with a heart and a conscience to come forward," she told the Irish Independent.
Christine said her brother Christopher, Amy's father, was too unwell to attend yesterday's poignant ceremony during which a lone piper played.
To add to the family's heartache, Mr Fitzpatrick's 23-year-old son Dean was stabbed to death in May 2013. Dean's stepfather, Dave Mahon, is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for his manslaughter.
"The way it happened with Dean, we're broken-hearted over that. Christopher is devastated," said Christine.
She said that, despite the passage of time, the family had not given up hope of finding Amy again.
"Nothing has been found to indicate she has passed. There is always that hope there that we will get her back.
"It's 10 years on, and we would plead with the people that knew Amy and knew of her lifestyle to remember her.
"People that didn't complete their [police] statements, please sign them. This would give closure for Amy. Somebody needs to know something," she added.
Christine said Spanish police cannot act on statements they have already received unless those who made them sign them.
At the time of her disappearance, Amy was living in Spain with her mum, Audrey Mahon and Audrey's partner Dave Mahon, as well as her brother Dean.
Christine believes a crucial element in the investigation is Amy's pink Nokia mobile phone, which was found in the family's Spanish home after she vanished.
She spoke of her frustration at the investigation which has now stalled.
"I've been in contact with the police in Spain to find out if the Spanish authorities have a cold case section. But I've been told, 'No'.
"I think, at this stage, what we need is a new pair of eyes looking at the case."
Irish Independent
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