‘It’s a life on the line and there’s no urgency’

MISSING Sister of Cavan woman last seen in Portugal anxious by lack of progress in case

The family of a Cavan woman who went missing in Portugal over three years ago has expressed disappointment at the lack of progress on the case.

Jean Tighe was last seen in Portugal, leaving a hostel alone in the capital Lisbon in July 2020. The then 38-year-old, had lived in Portugal for several months. Her sister Leona Tighe is deeply frustrated by a perceived lack of urgency from both An Garda Siochana and Portuguese police over the case. She notes that Jean, a native of Munterconnaught, was only registered as missing by the Portuguese authorities on July 10 this year.

“We still don’t know why it took so long. We just kept at the Portuguese authorities. We met them in February of this year and when I was told she would be put on the list, I thought it would be that day. We’ve been asking since we found out she was missing why she wasn’t on it. There’s no reason.

“They just kept telling us that they would do it, but they never did. No matter how slow a process could be, it couldn’t be this slow.”

Leona says not having official documents showing that Jean was missing made it extremely difficult to conduct a proper search for her. “We had to fight so hard to get her registered as missing. It’s hard enough having someone missing, but to have to have such a slog to get her recognised as such made everything much worse. It was like we were fighting just to get parity in the situation.”

Gaining access to Jean’s social media and bank account could give the family key information to progress the case according to Leona. However, to access these requires a letter from authorities which has not been granted yet.

“We still don’t have info on her various accounts which could provide crucial information, because it wasn’t looked for. Once Meta [formerly Facebook] get a proper letter from authorities they’ll work on it. We’ve spoken to them and they’re very agreeable and open to helping us. They said they’ll give a thorough look once they get the letter, but they have procedures and we respect that.

“A police-stamped letter is all they need. It should be an administrative task to send in the letter. It’s a life on the line and there’s no urgency. It’s terrible.

“There was meant to be a video call between the Irish and Portuguese authorities about the case in June, which still hasn’t happened yet, and I got a one-line email saying it would happen in August.”

Leona, who lives in New York and works as a nurse says the ordeal is having a massive impact on her life.

“There’s nothing else in my life at the minute apart from Jean. I work for myself now. I couldn’t hold down a job full-time in my situation. I can take weeks off at a time due to the case, and work when I can. This way gives me more flexibility.

“Every scenario goes through your head, from best to worst. It takes a massive emotional toll, even if I never had to travel. I’m always thinking about what I need to do next.”

She even participated in an award winning British podcast ‘The Missing’ in order to try to raise the profile of Jean’s case.

One element of the search Leona is grateful for is the help given by local people. “Deputy Brendan Smith and Cllr Shane P O’Reilly have made representations on behalf of us. They drive home our case, that we want to get his moving, and they’re doing their best.

“We’re grateful for their support. A lot of people can’t believe the lack of information, but others don’t believe it, so this is really helpful.

“Our neighbours Regina Baugh and Rosemary McDonald were on holiday in Portugal and handed out fliers in the local area where she disappeared. Other local people have done work for us when they were on their holidays, but they say the lack of awareness in the area she went missing is shocking.”

When Deputy Smith raised the matter in the Dáil, the Tánaiste Micheál Martin, responded that he understood that the circumstances of the case are “very difficult and traumatic” for the family and assured that the Irish Embassy in Lisbon is engaging with the Portuguese authorities on the case and has raised the family’s concerns.

The Anglo-Celt contacted An Garda Siochana about Leona’s frustration with authorities in both Ireland and Portugal. They pointed out that the Jean Tighe’s disappearance is being investigated by the Portuguese authorities and she has been on the missing persons page run by the Judicial Police since July 10.

“The disappearance of Jean Tighe was also reported to An Garda Síochána at Mountjoy and An Garda Síochána have and will continue to carry out local enquiries to assist the Portuguese authorities with this investigation.

“At all times, any information that has come to the attention of An Garda Síochána in respect of missing person Jean Tighe has been forwarded through the appropriate channels (Interpol) for the attention of the Portuguese authorities.”