Estranged Sisters Reunited After 42-Years Thanks To Liveline Listeners

Two sisters who have been separated for 42-years have been reunited, after the family got in touch with Joe Duffy’s Liveline. According to The Irish Times, Surjit Nanda from Bedford, England travelled to Dublin earlier this month to search for her little sister who ran away from their family home in 1973. Her sister was just 13-years old at the time, and had left the UK with an Irishman. Although the younger sister had originally contacted her family to let them know she was okay and living in Dublin, Surjit’s father forbid them from maintaining a relationship – never forgiving his younger daughter for leaving home. Two weeks ago, Surjit turned up on the streets of Dublin searching for her sister – telling Liveline how she walked the streets of the city centre looking for people who resembled her. It was only on her way back to Dublin Airport that Surjit was advised by her taxi driver to contact the powers that be in Irish radio – Joe Duffy. Ringing up the talkshow host, Surjit relayed her family’s story to Joe Duffy, who asked listeners to get in touch with any information that could help Surjit trace her sister’s whereabouts. It ended up being a childhood nickname that registered with the audience, and the tips started rolling in. With every great story, there’s a happy ending. Surjit discovered her sister is now named Vicky Jackson, and lives in Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath. She also now has a brother-in-law Cllr. Vincent Jackson of Ballyfermot – a former lord mayor of Dublin. Thanking Liveline listeners for their help, Surjit said she felt like “no time had passed between” herself and her sister. The pair have now flown back to Bedford to meet with their mother – who hasn’t seen her second daughter since 1973.