Next year will be the 40th anniversary of Mary Boyle's disappearance.

Mary Boyle

Mary Boyle

A Christmas vigil in memory of missing Mary Boyle will be held this Saturday at 12pm at the gate of the Gallagher farm in Cashelard, Ballyshannon, where she was last seen.

A number of local campaigners have organised the event and are encouraging people to attend in honour of the little girl who disappeared 40 years ago.

Members of the public are asked to bring candles.

The campaign to find out exactly what happened to little Mary gathered momentum this year culminating in a major march through Ballyshannon which was attended by more than a thousand people.

The Gallagher farm is located off the main Ballyshannon to Donegal road following the signs for Cashelard, turning right for Columcille Lough, and continuing straight until you reach a series of farm buildings on the right.

Organisers have requested a large turnout on the day and hope the people of Donegal will support the event.

Meanwhile, Monaghan County Council has backed a motion supporting a Donegal group in their guest for answers surrounding Mary’s disappearance.

Mary Boyle went missing in 1977 – she was 6 years old. Hers is the longest missing child case in the state – coming up to 40 years.

Her twin sister, Ann (Doherty) has been campaigning for the state to get answers into her sisters disappearance for years and has been left in the dark.