John Sweetman

But as the morning went on, and there was still no word from her, that explanation became harder to hold on to.

By late that night, when he still hadn't heard from her, Frank sent her a message, half in frustration, half in hope.

It's one we've all probably sent before, when you go a few hours without hearing from a loved one.

Are you alive?

There was no reply.

The following day, Friday 24th of August, there was still no sign of Elaine.

Sheila went back to the apartment and noticed that Elaine's car was not in the building's car park.

Frank returned again, but nothing had changed.

Her phone was still there, plugged in.

Her handbag still where it had been.

Everything exactly as it had been the day before.

He knew Elaine never left without her phone and that she would not normally leave the house without her keys, purse or medication.

Now the concern had shifted.

Frank began calling everyone he could think of.

Family, work, the festival organisers.

No one had seen or heard from her.

He called the hospital.

She had not checked back in there either.

By that point, two days had passed.

Frank and Elaine's younger sister, Anne, went to Step Aside Garda Station to report her missing.