Griffin came to the United States from his native Ireland in September 1986. He had his Irish passport but no work permit or visa at the time. He resided on West 17th Street in New York City, New York and kept in irregular contact with his family members back in Ireland. They have not heard from him since the month of October, 1987.

Griffin worked in a hardware store and for a man named Moshe Nir in Great Neck, New York while he was that state. In December 1993, three years after his disappearance, his passport was sent back to the Irish passport office for unknown reasons. Griffin's family is concerned for his safety. Irish police, or Gardai, are investigating his disappearance.