The family of a woman who has been missing for over 30 from Waterford has appealed to Gardaí to update their investigation to a murder inquiry.

Imelda Keenan, then aged 22, was confirmed missing on January 3rd, 1993.

The investigation into her disappearance had long gone cold until her brother, Gerry Keenan, and niece, Gina Kerry, decided to do something about it.

In 2023, the pair began speaking to the media and sharing the story on social media which led to a number of witnesses coming forward.

On The Pat Kenny Show today, Ms Kerry said the time is now right to update the investigation.

“We would love for it to be upgraded to a murder inquiry,” she said.

“We feel that it is time and we feel that Imelda’s case was neglected at the start.

“Gardaí need to look at it with fresh eyes and take these people seriously who have come forward.”

Imelda Keenan. Image: supplied

Imelda, originally from Mountmellick in County Laois, had moved to Waterford aged 14 to live with her brother and attend school.

She was described as a shy but happy girl by her niece.

“When Imelda was living in Mountmellick she was a very shy girl, happy and loved to sing,” said Ms Kerry.

“She was always smiling and she wouldn’t really have mixed with people unless she met them through mutual friends.

“She would be very held back in that way but once she got to know you and built up a relationship, she would have been a good friend to have.”

Waterford flat

Imelda lived on her own in a flat on William Street in Waterford and was due to begin a computer course when she went missing.

“Her flat was like a little doll house," said Ms Kerry.

“There was a lot of innocence about Imelda, even though she wanted to be independent, she still had her Micky Mouse posters on the wall and her teddy bears on the bed.

“She also had a little cat called Felix too.”

The Keenan family has long been suspicious of the proposed date that Imelda had been last seen on, January 3rd.

“She was seen on the third by her partner and a lady had said that she also had to let her across the quays that day to allow Imelda to go to the GPO,” said Ms Kerry.

“What we are confused about is, number one, the GPO was closed that day.

“What also really raised alarm bells for us was that if the Gardaí had searched her flat, they would have seen she had unopened Christmas presents left under the tree.”

Imelda Keenan’s niece Gina Kerry. Image: supplied

There were other causes of suspicion too, according to the niece.

“Her glasses were still there that she needed to wear all the time, she just took them off for photographs”, said Ms Kerry.

“There were also her basic belongings and a wreath for her father’s grave left behind.

“Imelda had sent a Christmas card to all the family to say that she will be up in [Laois] in January to put a wreath on daddy’s grave.

“None of the Keenan family had heard from Imelda for over two weeks over the Christmas period so the third of January doesn’t sit right for our family.”

Ms Kerry said the family were very suspicious of the unopened presents in her home.

“We know Imelda would not ignore her brother and he had called up the flat twice over Christmas,” she said.

“The light had been on but she didn’t answer, plus she never exchanged presents or opened her presents.

“It’s very suspicious behaviour as it’s not normal for anyone to open Christmas presents in January.”

Searches

Searches conducted at the time by family and members of the community in local rivers and woodland had also came to nothing.

Ms Kerry is appealing for anyone with information on Imelda Keenan’s disappearance to come forward.

“We want Imelda’s story to be heard as she is not just a missing person, she said.

“Anyone who knows anything, even the littlest of information could help us massively, so keep fighting with us.

“Thanks to everyone who has stayed with us and supported us."

Main image: Imelda Keenan. Image: Supplied