‘The right person hasn’t seen the appeals but we won’t stop’ – family of Esra
By Maurice Garvey
SEARCHING for answers to her only sister’s disappearance, has taken a heavy mental and physical toll on Berna Fidan.
Berna’s sister Esra Uryun, was last seen going to the local shop in Collinstown, on the morning of February 23, 2011 at approximately 7.15am.
Esra (38), originally from England and of Turkish descent, was living in Clondalkin with her husband Osgar and son Emin – popped out to get milk at a local service station before Osgar went to work, but was never seen again.
Esra went missing two days before the General Election in 2011 – and was looking forward to a visit that week from her mother and her mother-in-law.
Her Renault Twingo was later found in a car park at the seafront in Bray, with Esra’s handbag found in the boot, along with her credit cards, and a small amount of cash.
Despite making over 20 bleak trips to Dublin since that fateful day, Berna “never thought in a million years” they would have heard nothing from countless media appeals, and coverage on Crimeline programmes and a Channel 4 documentary called The Missing.
Mother-of-two Berna (50) has spent an average of €1,000 on each trip to Dublin, easily accumulating over €20,000 in travel costs, in a desperately effort to find an answer.
The financial cost has wiped out any savings she once had and put pressure on her own family, but Berna insists “it would be well spent if someone could help us find out what happened to Esra.”
She traveled over with her close friend Ilknur MacCormick, who has accompanied her for support during many trips to Dublin.
The pair usually visit Clondalkin and Bray, talking to the locals, putting up fresh posters, hoping to make a breakthrough.
Berna has already booked time off work in 2016 and 2017 – her energy focused on Dublin until she can find closure.
“We know there is someone out there who knows what happened,” said Ilknur.
Ilknur continued: “There is no support for Berna, not that she would want it, but the money adds to the emotional stress. If someone could even send us a private message to let us know.
“They can set up a fake account and delete it. We don’t care how they get in touch, or who they are, but would just ask them to think of their own family, and would they want to put someone in their own family through this.”
A visibly upset Berna fought back tears, as she tried to make yet another appeal.
Berna said: “I’m tired, my brain is tired. It’s getting harder as the trail gets colder and colder. We are appealing to put the family out of its misery. I need one person out there with compassion, or guilt, to let us know.
“It’s hard seeing Emin grow up without his mother. The right person hasn’t seen the appeals, but I won’t stop.”
Any information on Esra can be forwarded to the Garda Confidential line 1800 666111, missingesra@gmail.com or the Missing Esra Uyrun Facebook and Twitter accounts.
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