Search for missing women Josephine Dullard and Deirdre Jacob
Gardaí concluded a 10-day search phase at a quarry near the Wicklow/Kildare border on February 26, 2026, in connection with the disappearances and murders of Josephine Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. As of February 26, 2026: A further assessment of the site is ongoing, and the families of both missing women have been updated. The search, which began on February 16, 2026, utilized drones and imaging analysis, and involved excavators investigating a potential buried car and a recovered car axle, though the axle is not believed to be linked to prime suspect Larry Murphy. A man in his 50s was arrested in November 2024 in connection with Jo Jo Dullard's case but was later released without charge.
Timeline
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March 2026 — 1 developments
A man in his 50s was arrested in November 2024 in connection with the disappearance and murder of Jo Jo Dullard.
A man in his 50s was arrested in November 2024 in connection with the disappearance and murder of Jo Jo Dullard. He was later released without charge. Searches were also conducted at two private residences as part of the investigation. Jo Jo Dullard disappeared on November 9, 1995, after intending to hitchhike home from Dublin, and her case was reclassified as a murder investigation in 2020.
February 2026 — 7 developments
Gardaí have concluded the current 10-day search phase at a quarry near the Wicklow/Kildare border in…
Gardaí have concluded the current 10-day search phase at a quarry near the Wicklow/Kildare border in connection with the disappearances and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. A further assessment of the site is ongoing, and the families of both missing women have been updated.
Specialist forensic teams are utilizing drones and imaging analysis in the ongoing search for Josephine "Jo Jo" Dullard and Deirdre Jacob in County Wicklow.
Specialist forensic teams are utilizing drones and imaging analysis in the ongoing search for Josephine "Jo Jo" Dullard and Deirdre Jacob in County Wicklow. The operation, led by the Garda Serious Crime Review Team, is focused on an old quarry or sand pit and began on February 16, 2026.
Gardaí investigating the disappearances of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob have recovered a car axle at the search site on the Kildare/Wicklow border.
Gardaí investigating the disappearances of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob have recovered a car axle at the search site on the Kildare/Wicklow border. The families of both missing women visited the site on Sunday, February 22, 2026. While detectives do not believe the axle is linked to prime suspect Larry Murphy, technical and forensic examinations are ongoing.
The search for missing women Josephine Dullard and Deirdre Jacob has entered its fifth day, with excavators working in County Wicklow near the border with County Kildare.
The search for missing women Josephine Dullard and Deirdre Jacob has entered its fifth day, with excavators working in County Wicklow near the border with County Kildare. A new line of inquiry being pursued by Gardaí is that Larry Murphy, the prime suspect in the Deirdre Jacob murder, was seen burying something.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly stated on February 20, 2026, that no decision has been made regarding the conclusion of the search for the bodies of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly stated on February 20, 2026, that no decision has been made regarding the conclusion of the search for the bodies of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. The excavation at Castleruddery Upper on the Wicklow-Kildare border began on February 16, 2026, following fresh information. The search is ongoing, with excavators continuing to investigate a potential buried car as a line of inquiry.
Gardaí are investigating the possibility of a buried car being involved in the search for missing women Josephine Dullard and Deirdre Jacob.
Gardaí are investigating the possibility of a buried car being involved in the search for missing women Josephine Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. A source stated that this vehicle could contain significant evidence. The search is ongoing near the Wicklow/Kildare border, with excavators working for several days.
A new search operation commenced on open ground near the Wicklow/Kildare border as part of the ongoi…
A new search operation commenced on open ground near the Wicklow/Kildare border as part of the ongoing investigations into the disappearances and murders of Josephine Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. The area is undergoing excavation and forensic examinations.
November 2025 — 1 developments
On the 30th anniversary of Josephine Dullard's disappearance, Gardaí reiterated their appeal for inf…
On the 30th anniversary of Josephine Dullard's disappearance, Gardaí reiterated their appeal for information, emphasizing that the investigation remained active and subject to ongoing review by the Serious Crime Review Team.
December 2024 — 1 developments
The search operation in Grangecon, County Kildare, related to Josephine Dullard's disappearance was completed.
The search operation in Grangecon, County Kildare, related to Josephine Dullard's disappearance was completed. Gardaí stated they would not reveal the results for operational reasons.
November 2024 — 1 developments
Gardaí released video footage of excavations at a search area outside Grangecon village in relation to Josephine Dullard's disappearance and renewed their appeal for witnesses.
Gardaí released video footage of excavations at a search area outside Grangecon village in relation to Josephine Dullard's disappearance and renewed their appeal for witnesses.
October 2021 — 1 developments
Gardaí began searching woodland near Usk Little on the Kildare/Wicklow border as part of the Deirdre Jacob investigation.
Gardaí began searching woodland near Usk Little on the Kildare/Wicklow border as part of the Deirdre Jacob investigation. The three-week search involved forensic archaeologists but did not yield any remains.
October 2020 — 1 developments
Gardaí upgraded Josephine "Jo Jo" Dullard's disappearance to a murder investigation, stating they we…
Gardaí upgraded Josephine "Jo Jo" Dullard's disappearance to a murder investigation, stating they were satisfied that serious harm had come to her on or about the night she went missing.
August 2018 — 1 developments
An Garda Síochána reclassified Deirdre Jacob's disappearance from a missing person investigation to …
An Garda Síochána reclassified Deirdre Jacob's disappearance from a missing person investigation to a murder investigation, following a review of the case and new information received.
January 2017 — 1 developments
As part of a review of Deirdre Jacob's case, CCTV footage from the day of her disappearance was digitized, leading to new witnesses.
As part of a review of Deirdre Jacob's case, CCTV footage from the day of her disappearance was digitized, leading to new witnesses. A prisoner who implicated Larry Murphy in her murder was also re-interviewed.
July 1998 — 1 developments
Deirdre Jacob, aged 18, was last seen near her home in Newbridge, County Kildare, on July 28, 1998.
Deirdre Jacob, aged 18, was last seen near her home in Newbridge, County Kildare, on July 28, 1998. She had been in the town to collect a bank draft and visit her grandmother.
November 1995 — 1 developments
Josephine "Jo Jo" Dullard, aged 21, was last seen on November 9, 1995, in Moone, County Kildare, after missing her bus home and attempting to hitchhike.
Josephine "Jo Jo" Dullard, aged 21, was last seen on November 9, 1995, in Moone, County Kildare, after missing her bus home and attempting to hitchhike. She made a final phone call from a phone box at 11:37 PM, stating she was about to accept a lift.