Elderly woman missing for 9 days may be in Cork as family launch urgent appeal

The loved ones of an elderly woman who has been missing for over a week have launched a nationwide appeal to help bring her home safely.

Teresa Tannian, 84, was reported missing from Gort, Galway on Saturday 25 May and was last seen in her home there in Killina at approximately 7pm. Gardaí believe she might be confused about her whereabouts, and officers have warned hotel and guest-house owners across the country to stay alert as she may be a guest on their premises.

Her family are very concerned for her welfare and has put out several appeals urging the public to come forward with any new information. On Saturday, her nephew and auctioneer Colm Farrell issued an update during a search in Killina over the weekend, and told CorkBeo that when she last went missing – a few days before the Garda report – she was found after taking a bus to Cork.

Colm said: “She was in hospital two weeks ago and discharged herself and ended up getting a bus to Cork. Thankfully she was spotted and was able to be collected Limerick.”

In his latest appeal, he added: “She may be anywhere in Ireland and it is possible she may visit an auctioneer’s premises somewhere in the country. Teresa had a love for visiting auctioneer firms and always was talking about selling and buying property, and if any of my colleagues anywhere in Ireland are watching this video please keep an eye out for an elderly lady, she’s 84 and her name is Teresa. This is an urgent appeal.”

Colm said that Teresa went missing on Saturday 25 May after she was put into bed by her daughter at approximately 6.30pm. It’s believed that she then got up, got dressed and went to the house next door where she was seen by their neighbour’s son – who was the last person to confirm a sighting in the past nine days.

Her daughter Laura issued an update over the weekend to thank Gardaí, the Civil Defence service and volunteers for their support. She added that they have received possible sightings of Teresa ‘from across the country’, but still haven’t found her and are asking social media users to spread awareness of the situation.

Gardaí’s latest appeal for Teresa said: “Gardaí in Gort are continuing to appeal to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 84-year-old Teresa Tannian, who has been missing from Gort, Co. Galway since Saturday 25th May 2024.

“Teresa is described as being approximately 5 foot 2 inches in height with a slim build and short white hair. She was last seen at approximately 7pm last Saturday evening at her home in Killina, Gort.

“Gardaí and Teresa’s family are concerned for her welfare as Teresa may be confused as to her whereabouts. Gardaí are now asking any hotel or guest-house owners across the country to be mindful that Teresa may currently be a guest on their premises and to contact Gardaí if they have any information.

“Anyone with any information on Teresa’s whereabouts is asked to contact Gort Garda Station at 091 636400, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”