The piece below appears in the Galway Tribune this week. It is from the pen of Jordan Patrick O’Brien.
At the beginning of each year, I remember one missing person – a Dominican priest, who disappeared in Rome close to 50 years ago. We can presume nothing as to why he went missing. He has not returned to his home country of India.
The authorities in Rome were notified but nothing has shown up over the years. For the family and friends of each missing person the questions continue, but the answers never come.
There are over 100 missing persons in Ireland as we begin 2024. Not all are Irish, not all are on the Garda Missing Persons Register.
There are those who have taken a different road in life, perhaps a different identity. The pain of a missing relative or family member causes endless pain to parents, siblings and relatives, as well as to friends and colleagues.
The lines from the poem below can be turned into a silent prayer for missing persons.
Someone is rowing and bobbing on the lee./Naomhogs with fairy lights/Dragon boats light up the night./Brave men and women/who circle 'neath the stars/In a journey of remembrance,/In a solemn moonlight dance./Someone is missing in the night./But many hands to carry/Peaceful hearts/ Silent lips,/To bring some back home/From their blue cliabhan (cradle) /To slumber/with Mother Earth once more.
- ‘Someone’ - Mags Creedon O’Shea
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