Family of late Phyllis Murphy reach out to parents of Deirdre Jacob on 20th anniversary

The family of Phyllis Murphy, who was killed nearly 40 years ago, have reached out to the parents of Deirdre Jacob who is missing 20 years ago tomorrow.   Popular Kildare Town native Phyllis (23) was last seen at a bus stop in Newbridge on December 22, 1979 -  after spending a day Christmas shopping in Newbridge.   Her body was found near the Wicklow Gap 28 days later and her killer John Crerar was finally brought to justice in 2002 after advances in DNA testing.   Deirdre Jacob (18), was last seen walking along the Barretstown Road, Roseberry, close to  her home shortly after 3pm, on a hot July day, Tuesday, July 28, 1998.   There has been no trace of her since despite an exhaustive campaign by her family and Gardai.   Sister  Barbara Turner - sister of the late Phyllis Murphy urged the Jacobs to never give up. Barbara told KildareNow: "Of course you can we are always thinking of the people who are missing. "It is the worst thing ever we went through Phyllis missing for a while but we found her so I couldn't imagine year after year not knowing."   Barbara added: "We have always tried to keep Phyllis' case and memory alive in the hope that other families who have suffered the same loss may find a conclusion."   Touching   After a recent KildareNow article on a Memorial to Phyllis at the site where she was found in Wicklow Mountains, Barbara said: "It's touching that even after all these years there is still interest about our lost sister."