What happened
Thirteen-year-old Philip Cairns disappeared while returning to school after lunch in Dublin in 1986.
The investigation
His schoolbag was later found near his home, and the case has been repeatedly reviewed as new witnesses and theories emerged over the decades.
What the courts or investigators concluded
Philip has never been found and no one has been convicted in connection with his disappearance.
Why the case remains significant
The enduring case demonstrates the difficulty of reinvestigating a child disappearance when physical evidence is scarce and many potential witnesses are recalling events years later.
Case context
Crime by Region organizes cases geographically so readers can move from one file to other investigations from the same country. For unresolved or contested cases, the wording above reflects the distinction between confirmed events, investigative theories and findings actually established in court.