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Documentary on One: The Ballad of Paddy Folen

DOC Mick Flannery Image Name: DOC Mick Flannery

Patrick Folen disappeared mysteriously in 1995. By the time, Patrick’s remains were identified, he had lain undiscovered for over eleven years.

According to police, Folen was in his mid 70’s when he disappeared and was well known and liked by the local community. They believe he slept in the woods surrounding West Kingsdown for over fifty years.

There was legend and myth that surrounds Patrick’s background. Some locals told stories that his wife and children had been killed during the blitz of World War II and he had swore to never sleep indoors again. Others said he was a fluent Irish speaker lost in a country unable to communicate. Some said that he had been abandoned by him family when sixteen outside the Ford motor works in Dagenham. The police after a thorough investigation lasting a number of months admitted they were no closer to discovering the truth about Patrick’s background.

In ‘The Ballad of Patrick Folen’ Ciaran Cassidy travels to West Kingsdown to Patrick Folen’s cremation and the scattering of his ashes. There Ciaran meets Sarah Clarke who discovered Patrick Folen’s remains in the woods; DCI Martin Harris and DC Gavin Mortley who led the police investigation and Sue Blacker, Eileen O’Sullivan and Kathy Smith who knew and befriended Patrick Folen.

After returning to Ireland – Ciaran Cassidy mailed over three hundred letters to every Folen in the phonebook – asking – did anybody in your family by the name of Patrick Folen emigrate to London between 1920 and 1950 and disappear.

The results were startling – with three separate families coming forward saying a Patrick Folen in their family had disappeared after emigrating and two of those families believing that the Patrick discovered in the woods in West Kingsdown could be a family member.

This documentary was made in conjunction with the EBU Masterschool