Fresh bid to find disappeared nun
Welsh police have launched a new bid to trace an Irish nun who disappeared in Wales 27 years ago.
Sister Jacinta Bracken of Gorteen, Ballacolla, Co Laois, vanished on May 19, 1979, while shopping for a pair of stockings for her mother’s birthday present.
The last positive sighting of the 38-year-old, who was based at the Stella Maris Convent in Swansea, south Wales, was near the city’s Quadrant multi-storey car park by two children she taught.
Her handbag was found on the foreshore the next day by a local boatman, about 30 feet from the West Pier.
A police search was carried out in the area but nothing was ever found.
At first it thought that she may have returned to Ireland, but this theory was ruled out when all her belongings, which included her sailing ticket and cash, were found in the convent.
Inquiries confirmed that no passport was issued or any death registered under her name in the last 27 years.
Detective Inspector Andy Hughes, who is overseeing the case for South Wales Police, said: “The disappearance of Sr Jacinta was one of the most talked about cases at its time.
“Unfortunately, we are still not able to find her after all these years.
“We are keeping this case open and will be conducting further investigations shortly.
“Hopefully, we can get to the answer to it.”
Another theory is that she may have drowned, according to an ex-police officer who was involved in the original search.
Jenny Brain, who was a detective constable for South Wales Police at the time of the disappearance but has since retired from the force, said it is possible Sr Jacinta may have fallen into Swansea dock.
She said: “Because she disappeared without trace, that is one of the theories we are working on.
"We had a clairvoyant draw a map of Swansea pointing out where there was a hole in the dock wall.
“Police divers went down to search for her body and there was a hole in the dock wall but there was too much suction and it would have been too dangerous for them to go in.
“This was just a theory and it has never been confirmed that she went into the hole but I think it’s a massive coincidence that a clairvoyant, who had never been to Swansea, was able to describe the area and pinpoint where she thought she would be.
“The hole in the dock wall has been filled in and the area has just changed so much because there is a marina there now.
“Until we have something definite the case will remain open.”
