Father of Willie Maughan hopes whoever gave gardai new information calls back with 'not far away' message
by Nicola Donnelly · Irish MirrorThe father of missing man Willie Maughan says he hopes whoever gave gardai information that led them to search a site will call gardai again to say "You are not far away," from finding their remains.
Gardai confirmed on Tuesday evening that they had stood down the four-day search operation on open bogland at Ring Commons in Balrothery East, in north county Dublin.
Authorities launched the massive search for missing Willie and his pregnant partner Anastasija (Anna) Varslavane last Friday, November 15, with members of the force searching an area adjacent to land once owned by dead mobster Cornelius Price.
READ MORE - Distraught dad reveals heartache as search for missing Willie Maughan and Ana Varslavane stood down
The couple are believed to have been brutally murdered by him in April 2015.
The search came after gardai received new information in recent weeks, with the area of bog land being subject to excavation, and technical and forensic examinations over the weekend.
And now, speaking to The Irish Mirror, Willie’s heartbroken father Joe said that "whoever the gardai got the information from [for the dig] probably meant well.
"But," he said, "I am hoping the person who gave information might ring the gardai back again and say ‘You are not far away.’"
He also said he believes "someone will give in eventually."
"I genuinely believe someone will give in eventually," he said.
"Someone will get caught for something or say something or slip up.
"Or," he added, "their conscience will get the better of them."
He said he remains positive that the couple’s remains will be found but hopes that happens sooner rather than later.
"Hopefully we will get them back before God calls me, whenever that is, and we will have them beside us up there."
He also said gardai have told him and his heartbroken wife Helen that they won’t give up in their quest to locate the couple’s remains.
"In fairness to the gardai they came up to the house and said there is no giving up, but just not our day," he said.
"The dig finished up with no result but tomorrow could be a better day somewhere else. God is good and I hold my faith very strong and that will get us through."
The chief suspect in the couple’s murder, depraved criminal Cornelius Price, died from a brain disease in a Welsh hospital in February 2023 and never confessed his involvement in the double murder.
Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone with information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Willie and Anna to speak with investigating gardai.
"An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you might believe it to be, to contact Ashbourne Garda Station on 01 8010600 or any Garda station, or anyone who wishes to provide information confidentiality should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Any information will be treated with the strictest confidence."
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