British police investigating the disappearance of a couple and their two foster-children from Cambridgeshire contacted the gardai in Swinford, Co Mayo, yesterday following a tip-off from a holidaymaker that the family were staying in the area. The couple, Jennifer and Jeffrey Bramley, both 35, left their home with foster-daughters Jade Bennett (5) and Hannah Bennett (3) more than 11 weeks ago. They had been ordered to return the girls to social services.
Numerous sightings of the family throughout Ireland have been reported in past weeks. The most recent report, which placed the family in Mayo, came from a holiday-maker who claimed to have overheard a conversation in a pub between people who said the missing couple and children were staying in Swinford.
Estate agents in the town said yesterday that no family of that description had booked accommodation in recent weeks. However, because of a wave of returned emigrants from England and an influx of families from urban locations, it was very difficult to keep trace of everyone. Mr Bramley is described as being 5ft 6in, of slight build with receding, wispy, ginger hair. He wears glasses.
Ms Bramley is believed to be 5ft 2in with dark, medium-length, straggly wavy hair. She has dark eyes and a thin face.
Jade has fair hair and blue eyes. She is about 3ft tall, of sturdy build and has a pronounced mole on her right cheek.
Hannah has blue eyes and fair to light brown, medium-length, wavy hair with a fringe. She is also of sturdy build and is about 2ft 9in in height. Anyone with information is urged to contact Cambridgeshire police on 0044-1480 456 111, or their local Garda station.