‘My father doesn’t know who he really is’ – Appeal to solve family mystery

A Dublin man has launched a social media campaign to help his dad solve a family mystery. 

Graphic designer Andy Byrne is using Facebook and Twitter to appeal for information on his father’s adoption, something that was kept a secret in the family for half a century.

“At 73 years-of-age my father still doesn’t know who he really is.” says Andy. “For 50 years Don Byrne grew up believing that he was the biological son of Robert and Theresa Byrne. That was until 23 years ago.”

As Andy explains, on her death bed, Don’s aunt Hannah revealed that he was adopted. He was given no further information. After a DNA test confirmed that he was not related to his family, Andy and his siblings began searching for more information on their father’s adoption, but to no avail.

“Our search has been halted at every turn with brick walls, red tape and continued pain. I’m telling this story in the hope that someone may be able to help in our search.

Someone who may be able to open doors for us. Someone who can give a 73-year-old man a sense of belonging before it’s too late. It would mean so much to him to have the smallest bit of information. To find out where he comes from, what his real name is, or what his actual date of birth is.”