Urgent police search to find four missing children who vanished three days ago

469     0
An image of the Maughan family which was taken around five or six years ago (Image: PA)
An image of the Maughan family which was taken around five or six years ago (Image: PA)

Police in Northern Ireland have launched an urgent appeal to find four children, who were reported missing three days ago.

Louise, 16, Marie Theresa, 15, Owen, 12, and eight-year-old Christina Maughan are all siblings, and were last seen in the Lisnaskea area of County Fermanagh on Thursday. Detectives believe they may have travelled out of the country with their mum and dad, Kathleen and Martin Maughan, and may be staying in the Republic of Ireland.

In an appeal to locate their whereabouts, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) released an image of the family which was taken around five or six years ago. While the children have aged since the photograph was taken, officers say they are still recognisable from the photo, adding that the mum is of a slim build.

Chief Inspector Lynne Corbett said: "We are asking that Kathleen or Martin, the children, or anyone who knows of their whereabouts, get in touch with police and let us know where the children are and that they are safe. I would also ask that they be returned to Northern Ireland as soon as possible."

Issuing a statement on Sunday night, the force wrote: "Police are seeking the public’s help in locating four missing children. Louise (16), Marie Theresa (15), Owen (12) and Christina Maughan (8) are siblings who were reported missing from the Lisnaskea area on Thursday 5 October.

Nicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost' eiqrqiediqkkinvNicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost'

"It’s believed they may have travelled out of Northern Ireland with their mother and father, Kathleen and Martin Maughan, and may be somewhere in the Republic of Ireland." Anyone with information is urged to contact police by calling 101, quoting reference 1181 05/10/23.

Katie Weston

PSNI, Missing persons

Read more similar news:

01.02.2023, 09:14 • Crime
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
01.02.2023, 14:04 • Crime
Devastated parents promise to never stop looking for mum-of-two who vanished
01.02.2023, 16:35 • Crime
Missing mum of two seen 'laughing and joking' moments before she disappeared
01.02.2023, 16:55 • Crime
Nicola Bulley made plans for future the night before she vanished on dog walk
01.02.2023, 17:27 • Crime
Ten key mysteries in search for missing dog walker who vanished near river
01.02.2023, 17:53 • News
Passerby raised alarm after finding missing mum's 'worried' dog wandering alone
01.02.2023, 20:41 • Crime
Nicola Bulley's desperate dad breaks down recalling kids asking 'where's mummy?'
01.02.2023, 22:53 • Crime
Missing mum's 'agitated' dog found 'bone dry' next to river where she vanished
02.02.2023, 13:00 • Crime
Woman heartbroken as husband left home to go for walk and never returned
02.02.2023, 14:58 • Crime
Body found in hunt for missing teenager, 17, four months after he disappeared