Development in 18 year old missing person case

Gardaí investigating the disappearance of a man from Clones 18 years ago, have reported a “significant development” in the case.

Michael ‘Tony’ Lynch was 55 when he went missing from his home in Clones on January 6, 2002. On Monday, following a report to gardaí in Clones, PSNI police divers recovered a car from Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh.

The vehicle, which is to be examined, is believed to be the white Mitsubishi Galant car belonging to the missing, Mr Lynch.

As part of the renewed appeal into the disappearance of Michael ‘Tony’ Lynch in January of this year, An Garda Síochána conducted searches at 10 lakes in Co Monaghan. These searches were to continue at lakes in the Border region but were suspended in March 2020 arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inspector Graham Tolan of Monaghan Garda Station said: "An Garda Síochána will continue to investigate missing person’s cases for as long as it takes. In this case An Garda Síochána have been searching for Mr Lynch for 18 years.

"We are grateful to the members of the public who alerted us to this anomaly in the water. I’d like to remind the public that small pieces of information, no matter how insignificant they may seem, can often prove vital, as is the case today”.

We will continue to work with Police in Lisnaskea who are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery".

A family liaison officer attached to An Garda Síochana has been appointed and is liaising with Mr Lynch’s family.

Those with information are asked to contact Gardaí in Clones on (047) 51028, the Garda confidential line 01-800-666-111 or any Garda Station.