Appeal for information on mysterious disappearance and death of 12-year-old schoolboy in Co Down 90 years ago

“I am currently producing a podcast with RTÉ Documentary on One called Frozen Boy”, said producer Proinsias Ó Coinn.

"On January 13th 1938, Jimmy was sent from Ballyholland Primary School, near Newry, to buy cigarettes for his headmaster.

"He never returned. Ten days later, his body was discovered 12 miles away in the Mourne Mountains.

"To this day, so many questions have remained for Jimmy's family and wider community in Co Down and beyond,” he added.

Ninety years after this happened ‘no one knows exactly what happened to Jimmy during the days he was missing, or why he even disappeared’.

Now Proinsias is ‘appealing for any information, family stories, or hearsay - no matter how small or uncertain - to help us piece together Jimmy's final days’.

He adds that they are ‘particularly keen to hear from anyone with details on:

• Sightings** around Ballyholland, Derrylecka, Aughnagon, Mayobridge, Hilltown, Castlewellan, Crossgar, or by a group of boys who say they met Jimmy and asked them for directions to Bryansford.
• Family memories** of the case or the search efforts.
• Connections to these specific names: James McAvoy, Thomas McGuigan, Father Keenan, or Father Jordan.

‘With first-hand witnesses fading, this may be the last chance to preserve these memories and one of your readers might be able to unlock a vital part of the story.

‘Anyone with information can contact me in confidence at [email protected].