By Ryan Sands
THE mysterious disappearance and death of a 12-year-old boy in the Mournes almost 90 years ago is to be the subject of an RTÉ podcast.
On 13 January 1938, Jimmy Poland left Ballyholland Primary School, outside Newry, to buy cigarettes for his headmaster, but he never returned.
Ten days later, his body was discovered 12 miles away on Crotlieve Mountain, between Hilltown and Rostrevor, and decades on, questions remain over how this happened.
‘Frozen Boy’, an RTÉ Documentary on One podcast being produced by Armagh documentary maker Proinsias Ó Coinn, is seeking to shed light on the tragedy.
“Ninety years later, no-one knows exactly what happened to Jimmy during the days he was missing or why he even disappeared,” the documentarian said.
“We are appealing to your readers for any information, family stories or hearsay – no matter how small or uncertain – to help us piece together Jimmy’s final days.
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone with details on sightings around Ballyholland, Derryleckagh, Aughnagon, Mayobridge, Hilltown, Castlewellan and Crossgar, or by a group of boys who say they met Jimmy, who had asked them for directions to Bryansford; family memories of the case or the search efforts; and connections to these specific names – James McAvoy, Thomas McGuigan, Father Keenan or Father Jordan.”
Mr Ó Coinn added that, with “first-hand witnesses fading, this may be the last chance to preserve these memories” and voiced his hope that readers of the Mourne Observer “might be able to unlock a vital part of the story”.
“Anyone with information can contact me in confidence at documentaries@rte.ie,” he concluded.
