A NEW in-depth documentary about the disappearance 44 years ago, of Mary Boyle in Cashelard, Ballyshannon, is to be screened next year.

The programme by Belfast based Maverick Renegade productions has been filmed over four years and is now almost completed. The production company are in discussions with a major streaming service over its release.

Anne Doherty, Mary’s twin sister hopes the programme will spur renewed interest in her sister’s case as happened with recent documentaries on Sophie Toscan du Plantier and Fr Niall Molloy.

 The last time six-year-old Mary Boyle was seen, she was following her uncle through fields 44 years ago. Her twin sister Ann remembers the day well. Not only was it the day of her sister’s suspected murder, it also marked the end of her own childhood.

“Every time something major has happened in my life, Mary has been with me. She’s sent me little signs at milestones in my life, like the birth of my children. She’s always been with me since the day she disappeared. I really feel that,” says Ann, whose married name is now Doherty.

“I just wish I could have helped her that day. I wish I could have done more, saved her somehow. But I was only six years old as well.”

No  one has ever been charged in connection with Mary’s disappearance and suspected murder. At one stage Scottish serial killer and paedophile Robert Black emerged as a suspect. But gardai later discounted this after interviewing him and determining he was not in Donegal at the time.

Mary’s disappearance has been the subject of a garda cold case review and repeated appeals which yielded nothing. Ann believes the answers over what happened to her twin sister lie within her own family. She wants the man she believes is responsible to finally reveal the truth so Mary’s remains can be recovered and laid to rest.

“I just hope the documentary brings some attention on the case again. I want Mary’s story out there.

“There are people within my own family who know more than they have ever said about what happened. There are people in my family who could bring this to an end,” Anne added.