Northern Ireland

Lisa Dorrian: ‘It’s time to speak up’ says family of missing woman

The Co Down woman disappeared 19 years ago

The family of Lisa Dorrian have issued a renewed appeal for information
The family of Lisa Dorrian have issued a renewed appeal for information

The family of Lisa Dorrian have renewed their plea for information ahead of what would have been her 45th birthday.

The 25-year-old went missing from a caravan site in Ballyhalbert on the Ards peninsula in February 2005. Police believe she was murdered.

She would have celebrated turning 45 on June 12.

Lisa’s sister Joanne Dorrian said: “We imagine how her 45th birthday would have been if she was still here. We imagine showering her with gifts, cards and love because that’s how it is in our family.

“We all come together and celebrate. If Lisa had have went on to have children, they also would have celebrated her on the 12th June.”

Ms Dorrian said that instead the family will be honouring Lisa’s short life by visiting her mother’s grave, which now bears Lisa’s name, and laying flowers.

The missing woman’s mother Pat (59) died in 2015 without knowing what had happened to her daughter.



She added: “Our wish for Lisa on this important day is that the people who know where Lisa is will finally contact us or the police and tell us where to search for her.

“They don’t have to give their name or details, Crimestoppers won’t even ask.”

Unburden yourself and live a life free of the weight you are carrying. It’s time to speak up.

Ms Dorrian praised people who have contacted her with information in the last year.

“They have bravely put Lisa before themselves and said enough is enough,” she said.

“They’ve told me how the information has weighed heavy on them and they’ve described the relief in talking to me and getting it off their chest.

“I’ve been able to keep every single person anonymous and passed the info onto Lisa’s police team.

“Please talk to me, tell me what you know. I will celebrate you, there never needs to be a worry that you may have known this for a long time. Unburden yourself and live a life free of the weight you are carrying. It’s time to speak up.”

The new appeal will see billboards and digital adverts displayed in targeted areas including Newtownards, and in Belfast on the Shore Road, Upper Newtownards Road and the city centre.

Lisa’s father, John, said the campaign was possible due to funding from a local business.

Lisa Dorrian disappeared after a party at a caravan site in Ballyhalbert, Co Down, on February 27, 2005
Lisa Dorrian disappeared after a party at a caravan site in Ballyhalbert, Co Down, on February 27, 2005

“We are very grateful to this family man whose only hope is that it can help bring Lisa home,” he said.

“Lisa’s campaign has always been so well supported by our local community and this grand gesture just confirms the steadfast support of good people”

This campaign will run over a two week period beginning on Monday June 3.

Confidential information can be sent to the family through www.lisadorrian.co.uk or the Letsfindlisa pages on Facebook and Twitter.

Crimestoppers can be contacted online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.