‘We live in hope that 13 is an unlucky number but hope that it’s lucky for us’

A TG4 series featuring the missing person case of Esra Uyrun is set to air in May.

On February 23, 2011, Esra (38) left her Collinstown Grove home in Clondalkin at 7.20am to get milk for her husband Osgar and son Emin, but was never seen again.

The Grey Renault Twingo she shared with her husband, was discovered later that day on the promenade in Bray.

Esra’s purse containing her bank cards and €50-60, was found in the boot of the car.

Berna Fidan, Esra’s sister, travels over from England every year, in the search for a sliver of information that could lead to answers.

The TG4 episode follows Berna on one of her trips to Dublin, and the locations and people she regularly meets as part of the appeal for information on her little sister.

Nursing a broken elbow after a recent fall over a broken cobblestone in London, it would take more than that to prevent Berna making the trip.

No body has been found in the 13 years since Esra vanished, and sadly CCTV footage cannot accurately identify the driver of the Twingo on that faithful day.

Gardai are finishing a briefing with Berna and her friend Ilknur, as The Echo arrives at the Maldron Hotel in Newlands Cross.

The good news is that gardai are looking at different CCTV footage in an effort to seek a conclusion to the case.

“We live in hope that 13 is an unlucky number but hope that it’s lucky for us,” said Berna.

“Not enough was done at the time. Esra went missing during election week (2011 general election). Posters we put up looking for information were taken down for election posters.”

A major concern for Berna is that Esra’s purse was found in the boot of the Twingo.

“What woman leaves her purse in the boot? It suggests she was in there.”

Esra’s car was picked up on CCTV at the first roundabout in Neilstown, 30 to 40 minutes after she left home, even though it only takes a few minutes, leading to Berna suspecting something happened in between the house and the roundabout.

It was early morning and mid term that week, schools were closed and less traffic, which sadly means less people were out and about at that time.

During their four day stay in Dublin this week, Berna met with other families going through similar siutiations at a missing persons family event in the Green Isle Hotel.

“We feed off each other, can help in what they are doing and what support they can get. Everybody understands what you are going through,” said Berna.

One family has a missing person for 31 years, which sparked a dreadful

“realisation” for Berna, who is worn down with the worry but “will never give up no matter what.”

“We want to know what to do, we just want to bring her home,” said Ilknur.

Berna believes somebody is “sitting on information” that is the key to unlocking the case.

“It is not going to change the outcome, but it is cruel to hold onto information if they know. I want them to stop and think ‘how would I feel if it was my loved one and how to deal with the emotional burden.’

“Our job is to bring her home,” said Berna.

Anyone with information can contact Ronanstown Garda station on 666-7700, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111 or Crimestoppers 1800 250025.

Berna also appeals for anyone with information to email missingesra@gmail.com.