Missing Persons in Ireland: A Detailed Overview of Trends, Gender, and Regional Patterns

Every year in Ireland, thousands of missing person reports are filed with An Garda Síochána. While the majority of individuals are located quickly, a smaller proportion remain missing long-term, leaving behind families in distress and communities searching for answers. This article explores the available data on missing persons in Ireland, looking at annual trends, daily averages, unresolved cases, gender differences, and county-specific patterns.

Annual and Daily Numbers

According to official Garda statistics and government reporting:

• Distinct individuals reported missing per year: Between 3,300 and 4,600 (2018–2023).
• Daily average: Around 13 missing person reports per day, based on 2023 figures.
• Still missing cases: Typically between 10 and 40 individuals at the end of each year, although in 2024 this number spiked to over 70 (Jan–Sept).
• Broader reporting basis: If including repeat or duplicate reports, total annual reports are estimated between 8,000 and 11,000.

This distinction matters: some individuals may be reported missing more than once in a given year, especially vulnerable groups such as children in care or adults with mental health difficulties.

Gender and Age Breakdown

Unfortunately, Ireland does not routinely publish a full gender-disaggregated dataset. However, available reports and studies offer insights:

• Children (under 18): Historically, more girls have been reported missing than boys. Between 2003 and 2012, there were about 3,000 more missing reports for girls than for boys.
• Adults (21 and over): Men make up the majority of adult missing persons. Approximately two-thirds of missing adults are male.
• Broad breakdown (as reflected in comparative research):
  • Under 21: ~54% female, ~46% male
  • Over 21: ~61% male, ~39% female

Vulnerable Groups

• Children in State care: Dozens of children, including unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers, are reported missing from Tusla’s care each year. Most are over 16, but exact gender breakdowns are not always available.
• Long-term missing women and girls: A 2025 academic study documented 38 cases between 1971 and 2023. Of these, 8 were under 18, while 22 were between 18 and 45. Twelve are now classified as homicide cases, despite no remains being recovered.

Regional Patterns

There is no complete county-by-county breakdown available, but several areas have become significant in discussions of missing persons:

• The Vanishing Triangle (Leinster): Covering Dublin, Kildare, Offaly, Wexford, and Louth, this area became notorious in the 1990s for a cluster of disappearances of young women, many still unsolved.
• County Kerry: Gardaí in Kerry reported 18 active missing-person cases as of late 2024.
• County Cork: Home to one of Ireland’s longest-running double disappearances, Conor and Sheila Dwyer (1991).
• County Donegal: Mary Boyle’s 1977 disappearance remains the Republic’s oldest unresolved case.

These regional patterns highlight that while disappearances can and do happen nationwide, certain areas have seen clusters of high-profile or enduring cases.

Long-Term Cases

Ireland currently has:

• Around 834 active missing-person cases nationwide.
• Roughly 900 long-term unresolved cases (individuals missing for years or decades).

These include children, adults, and elderly individuals. Many long-term cases are linked to complex issues such as homicide, domestic violence, mental health struggles, or suspected drowning.

Key Takeaways

• Scale: Between 3,300 and 4,600 individuals go missing annually in Ireland, averaging 13 per day.
• Resolution: The vast majority are located quickly, but a significant minority remain unresolved.
• Gender differences: Children reported missing are more often female, while missing adults are more often male.
• Regions: Leinster counties in the “Vanishing Triangle” are historically notable, with Kerry, Cork, and Donegal also having high-profile cases.
• Unresolved cases: Around 834 active cases exist at any given time, including nearly 900 long-term disappearances.

Did you know?

While the vast majority of missing-person reports in Ireland are resolved within days, hundreds of families are still waiting for closure. The available statistics show clear trends: a disproportionate number of young girls and women go missing, while among adults, men are more frequently unaccounted for. Regional hotspots, like the Vanishing Triangle, continue to fuel public concern and Garda investigations.

The lack of comprehensive, publicly accessible demographic breakdowns highlights a gap in Ireland’s missing-person reporting. Improved transparency could not only aid public understanding but also help shape preventative measures and support services for the most vulnerable.