A HEARTBTROKEN family’s hopes of locating a missing loved one safe and well are fading with efforts now focused on recovering the body.
The family, which includes famous Donegal Piper Christy Murray, has appealed for help to find the remains of Christy’s nephew who disappeared last month.
Ronan Strain (36), from Raphoe, is believed to have travelled from his Dublin city centre home and jumped into water at coastal town Howth on May 14 past.
Today marks 46 days since his sudden disappearance – which the family told the Donegal News has been “hell on earth”.
Ronan’s heartbroken uncle Christy, the hugely popular piper who has played before Donegal GAA matches for 25 years, spoke openly.
Mr Murray said: “We are still searching.”
Donegal Piper Christy with his missing nephew Ronan Strain and Ronan’s mum Anne and sister Shannon at Croke Park in 2025.
Christy added: “A brother of ours is ex-Donegal Mountain Rescue and has a lot of contacts and has been searching.
“Another nephew is a drone expert and has been using that and another brother has been searching with long lenses that allow examinations of cliff-faces.
“They have all of Dublin Bay searched, as well as the long stretch from Carlingford [in Co Louth], down to Lusk, Rush, and Skerries [in north Co Dublin], and into Greystones [in Co Wicklow].
“That is a big, extensive area. We are still hoping, but the hope is going. I went to the area where he jumped in and I piped for his mother Ann.
“We are now asking everyone, especially on the east coast to keep an eye out. We might never get the body, but we hope.
“It’s getting harder. There have been eight bodies recovered [from the Irish Sea] along the UK’s coast since Ronan disappeared.
“We are hoping that he will appear, maybe along the coastline. We may have to use DNA to identify him, if the body is unrecognisable.
“We will see when we find the body. That is the language that we are using at this time.
“We are getting a lot of support in Donegal and elsewhere. Where Ronan went into the water, we had very little luck with sightings.
“He didn’t meant to hurt anyone. It just happened. The gardai are sure that he meant to jump in. Some of his things were there.
“And there were no signs [of anything untoward]. Ann received a message from Ronan a few days later – but it had been sent before he disappeared.
“It’s been hell on earth.”
Christy added: “The family now wants to tell other people to talk to each other. Ronan was quiet. We want people to reach out to each other.
“Counsellors have been telling us that sometimes people have a plan and they can be strangely happy. Ronan was strangely happy.
“It’s text book. We’ve had tragedies, but this is the worst.”
Previously, after Ronan first went missing, Christy and the family appealed for information to help find him safe and well.
Ronan is described as around 5 foot and 5 inches in height, with a slim build, and brown auburn hair and blue eyes.
A Garda spokesperson said: “It is believed that Ronan travelled to Howth, Co. Dublin on Thursday 14th May 2026.
“It is unknown what Ronan is wearing. Gardai and Ronan’s family are concerned for his wellbeing.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Raheny Garda Station on 01 666 4300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.