Editorial: 30 years of pain as family, friends and community remember Kilkenny woman Jo Jo Dullard
From this week's Kilkenny People
Three decades have now passed since Callan woman Jo Jo Dullard vanished without a trace, but the pasage of time has not diminished the pain of her disappearance.
That is evidenced by the number of people who turned out in the Castle Park once again last weekend, to remember her and keep her name in the public consciousness.
In November 1995, the 21-year-old was last seen hitchhiking home from Dublin. She never arrived. For her family, friends, and community, the unanswered questions are torturous.
Jo Jo’s case is one of heartbreak and uncertainty. Her loved ones have endured years of silence, rumours, and leads that didn't pan out, all while clinging to hope that someday they might bring her home. The wait for someone to come forward, for information to surface, for her remains to be found.
Justice must prevail, and whatever closure there can be must be realised. The truth about what happened to Jo Jo Dullard must come to light. And Jo Jo deserves to be brought home.
PRIDE OF PLACE
Well done to the Piltown Community Group who were honoured at the All-Ireland Pride of Place community awards.
Judges described the village thus: “Piltown in the Suir Valley of South Kilkenny is a vibrant forward-thinking village where the local people regard themselves as being inclusive, collaborative, creative and resilient.”
Lovely words, and well deserved. Congratulations to all involved.
They aren’t the only South Kilkenny community with reason to celebrate this week.
Congratulations also to Shamrocks Ballyhale on their impressive victory over Kilcormac-Killoughey in the AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship quarter-final.
The Kilkenny champions are in a rich vein of form. The best of luck to them in the semi-final, where they face Clough-Ballacolla.