Gardaí believe people who were children when Philip Cairns disappeared in October 1986 may have information on his schoolbag.

The Dublin schoolboy has been missing for almost 30 years.

Philip disappeared while walking to school in south Dublin. His bag was found dumped in an alley close to his Rathfarnham home six days later. 

No trace of the boy has ever been found, despite repeated appeals for information. 

However, new information has been given to gardaí in recent months.

One of the 160 lines of inquiry is that convicted paedophile Eamon Cooke was involved in the disappearance of the 13-year-old boy.

The former radio DJ died earlier this month, and gardaí believe this may help some people come forward.

Superintendent Peter Duff from Tallaght Garda Station made a fresh appeal today.

He said he is conscious that people who may not been able to come forward 30 years ago "may now be in a position to assist".