In 1977, Mary Boyle, who was just six at the time, disappeared while visiting her grandparents home in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.

Yesterday, Gardaí arrested a 64-year-old man in connection with the disappearance. His period of detention has been extended.

This morning, Ann Boyle, Mary's mother spoke to Pat Kenny about her daughter's disappearance and her distress about that day 37 years ago.

Speaking about her daughter, Ann commented: "She was a child that didn't like playing for too long. She was a lovely lovely girl."

However, following the arrest her feelings are mixed: "It's heading towards 38 years since Mary went missing. That day is etched on my brain."

Following the disappearance, Ann said it was difficult for her to return to normal: "The toughest thing was coming back without her. People went back to their own lives but I can't go back to that life."

She broke down while speaking about her husband: "He kept the whole family going."

However, the Gardaí have been keeping her informed of the case: "In relation to the arrest: No, it wasn't a bolt from the blue. I was very aware of that.

Ann still holds out hope that her daughter is alive: "Well, if she was brainwashed and taken away from this country altogether, you never know. Maybe someday it might just click with her that she had another family and another life."

Here is the interview in full: