Cork woman's fundraiser for missing person team in memory of her brother

AINÉ Murphy knows all about the vital work of the volunteers involved in the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery group.

That is why she is organising a lip sync competition on April 20 in the Harp Bar on Pouladuff Road, Ballyphehane, to raise funds for the band of amazing men and women.

Many people will be taking to the stage on the night and people can expect some great costumes and moves. Tickets are just €5.

“The fundraiser is for a great cause,” says Ainé Murphy. “We know that all the people of Cork are grateful for the essential services of Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery (CCMPSR).”

Licensee Ainé knows all about the efforts and dogged determination that the incredible team display, to find, rescue and recover loved ones who are missing.

“Seventeen years ago, my brother James, 24. was taken out of the river in Mallow, by the Mallow Search and Rescue,” says Ainé.

It was a sad day.

“It wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but it gave us a place to visit him, and it brought closure to us,” says Ainé.

These people put their own lives at risk to bring loved ones home, to give family and friends peace and ease. I’m delighted to help in any way that I can.

The majority of missing persons return quickly. Each case remains open for a year or more, some much longer.

In the meantime, their friends and relatives must live with the uncertainty and hope of finding out what happened to their loved ones - sometimes for many years.

“The experience of having a person missing could happen to any family in the morning,” says Ainé.

Cork City Missing Persons Search And Rescue deal with a variety of situations.

“They get called out when people suffering with dementia go wandering off,” says Ainé. 

The volunteers put their own lives at risk, not thinking about their own families at home. They go out in all weathers, and they rely solely on donations.

Ainé never forgot the solace and comfort the CCMPSR offered and provided to her and her family when their loved one was recovered and brought back home.

“We handed over a cheque to Mallow Search and Rescue following a ‘remembrance tree initiative’ last January,” says Ainé. “And our lip sync event last year raised more than €5,000 for CCMPSR, which helped the volunteers with equipment, travelling and food expenses

“The team, men and women, go all over the country to rescue and recover missing persons. They go out in all weathers, no matter what.”

Ainé is an active community person. “We also recently installed a defibrillator at the side of the pub for the community. Myself and some of our regulars have been trained up as first responders,” she said.

The volunteers

When Chris O’Donovan joined CCMPSAR, he hadn’t had any training, but he did have a power boat licence.

“I joined the team because I had that licence,” says Chris. “The service is on the go 23 years and I’m with CCMPSAR nine years.”

Does he have a personal experience of a loved one gone missing?

“Yes, My wife’s brother in-law was recovered some time ago. It brings the reality home to you. “

Chris wanted to help his fellow Cork citizens when the need arose.

“We work on land and water,” he says. “We get calls from the Gardaí, the Coastguard and fire services to look for, rescue, or recover, a missing person. Families call on our services too.”

Does CCMPSAR get many calls during the 365 days they are on call?

“Far too many to count,” says Chris. We are very busy.”

Apart from his own family at home, Chris now has an extended family.

“CCMPSAR is like belonging to a dysfunctional family!” he laughs. “We are trained for the worst scenarios, and we lean on each other, and we support each other.”

The job can take its toll.

“If we need additional support individually, it is provided,” says Chris.

CCMPSAR is always on the alert ready to act when a call is received.

“When the call about a missing person is answered on the phone, we prepare ourselves to go out on land and water to look for that missing person.”

Why does Chris volunteer for such a difficult task?

“It is a fairly grim job,” agrees Chris. 

I think having a personal experience of a missing person motivates me. It is a very specialised thing.

He finds satisfaction in being pro-active to bring a loved one home.

“There is a strange satisfaction associated with bringing a family member back home,” says Chris. “It is hard to describe; but it provides a kind of solace to have closure.”

The emotional impact and the significant fluctuation of hope and hopelessness must weigh heavily on the family and friends of those having someone missing.

“It is very difficult,” agrees Chris. “I think that’s why there is a strange satisfaction in finding, rescuing or recovering a missing loved one. And the subject of missing persons and rescue and recovery is close to my heart.”

Chris’s heart is warmed when a rescue/recovery outcome is positive.

“Nine years ago, I was involved in a big rescue when the Dragon Boats were racing and an incident occurred. We pulled 17 people from the water.”

CCMPSAR provides a vital service across the community

“Having the fundraiser for the volunteers is a way of giving back,” says Ainé.

This lady doesn’t do things by halves.

“We’ve been practising since January,” she saysof the event. “Nine of us, customers and staff got dance lessons. We had good fun.”

For a bit of fun and some cheesy dance moves, call in to the Harp Bar on April 20 to support a worthy cause - CCMPSAR, operating in Cork city and its environs.

“I know people are struggling financially more than last year,” says Ainé. But she also knows how generous Cork people are.

“I’m sure we’ll be well supported as always,” she says.

“We are so grateful for the volunteers to be out 24/7, 365 days a year to bring peace and ease to people who have a loved one missing.”

About CCMPSR

Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery is a voluntary registered charity which relies solely on donations.

The organisation conducts land, river and sea searches. Its services are free of charge and it responds to call-outs from An Garda Siochana, Irish Coastguard and the families of missing people.

CCMPSR can be contacted directly via the telephone number, email, (CCMPSR@gmail.com) and via its Facebook page.

See https//wwwfacebook.com/missingpersons.search.and.recovery

All the volunteers are highly trained and professional in all aspects of search and recovery, including active risk assessment, grid searching and navigation.

CCMPSR have a team of SAR divers, side scan sonar and a remotely operated underwater vehicle which gives access to the most inaccessible places while searching.

CCMPSR continuously adopt the latest search techniques and recently purchased a drone to assist in covering large areas quickly.

In compliance with GDPR regulations, missing persons should first be reported to An Garda Siochana. From there, the CCMPSR search coordinator will liaise with the Gardai and a search strategy can be implemented.

CCMPSR always keep in close contact with the families for the duration of the search and communicate any update directly.

Emergency number is 087-9609885 and is active 24/7, 365 days of the year.

See www.missing.ie