Family of Sandra Collins overwhelmed by community support

Anton McNulty

The family of Sandra Collins were overwhelmed by the support shown to them at the unveiling of a plaque in her memory at Killala pier but stressed they will not rest until they bring her home.
A crowd of over 100 people attended the unveiling of a plaque in memory of 28 year-old Sandra Collins who disappeared without trace from Killala in December 2000. .
“I wasn’t really expecting that number of people to be honest,” Sandra’s brother Patrick told The Mayo News. “I thought our neighbours and friends of Sandra would come but I met people who came up to me who said they did not know me or Sandra but have been following our story for 15 years and felt they had to come and play their respects.
“We need that support and love to keep going and for people to know we are not giving up. It sends out a message to those who know what happened to Sandra that she was cared for in the community and not some person who can be thrown away like an unwanted animal,” he said.

Marble plaque
The unveiling of the marble plaque which contains Sandra’s photograph took place after a memorial service in St Tiernan’s Church in Crossmolina.
Patrick said the service and the day felt like going to a funeral and was nice but they still arrived home feeling empty. He said all they wanted was to have a funeral for Sandra and again appealed for people who know Sandra’s whereabouts to come forward for information.
“We will keep going until we get her and we are willing to meet anyone at anytime and anyplace to get Sandra back. We are not accepting not getting her back. This is not about getting someone into trouble or sending someone to jail, it is about getting Sandra back. If we get one or two bones we know belong to Sandra we will be delighted with that,” he said.
Sandra went missing on the night of Monday, December 4, 2000 in Killala after she failed to return from a shopping trip. She was last seen at 11pm when she was served in a local fast food restaurant buying two bags of chips.
The only person charged with her murder, Martin Earley of Banagher, Carrowmore-Lacken was acquitted of her murder by direction of the judge following an 18 day trial.

Poignant
Last week was a very poignant time for the family when they received some items of Sandra’s which had been in Garda possession following her death. They included two jumpers, CDs and tapes and photographs of Sandra and her brother James who also died in tragic circumstances in 2000.
Patrick said there were a lot of tears in the house that night when they received the items back from the Gardaí as it was also the anniversary of their mother’s death. He said the family are heartbroken and called for anyone with any information to come forward.