Search for missing women Josephine Dullard and Deirdre Jacob

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SUMMARY

Gardaí concluded a search operation in Co. Wicklow on July 4, 2026, near the Wicklow/Kildare border, as part of ongoing investigations into the disappearances and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. As of July 4, 2026, the results of this search, which began on June 15, 2026, will not be released for operational reasons. A file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions in connection with Deirdre Jacob's 1998 disappearance, now a murder investigation, following extensive searches in February and June 2026 linked to murder suspect Larry Murphy. Jo Jo Dullard disappeared on November 9, 1995, and her case was reclassified as a murder investigation in 2020.

Timeline

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July 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Gardaí Conclude Wicklow Search Operation in Dullard and Jacob Disappearance Investigations

    Gardaí have concluded a search operation in Co. Wicklow, near the Wicklow/Kildare border, as part of ongoing investigations into the disappearances and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. The search, which began on June 15, 2026, involved the assistance of the Defence Forces. The results of the search will not be released for operational reasons.

June 2026 — 3 developments

  1. File Submitted to DPP in Deirdre Jacob Murder Investigation; Searches Continue

    A file has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions in connection with the investigation into Deirdre Jacob's 1998 disappearance, which has been reclassified as a murder investigation. Extensive searches were conducted in a quarry near the Wicklow/Kildare border in February and June 2026, focusing on intelligence related to murder suspect Larry Murphy.

  2. Gardaí recommence search at quarry for missing women Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob

    Gardaí recommenced a search operation in June 2026 at a quarry in Castleruddery, on the Wicklow and Kildare border, in connection with the disappearances of Deirdre Jacob and Jo Jo Dullard. The search is reportedly linked to intelligence concerning convicted rapist and murder suspect Larry Murphy.

  3. New Search Operation Launched in Co. Wicklow for Missing Women

    The Garda Síochána, with assistance from the Defence Forces, has launched a new search operation in Co. Wicklow, focusing on intelligence suggesting convicted rapist Larry Murphy may have been in the area. Excavations and forensic examinations are being conducted at a site previously searched in February 2026.

March 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Man arrested in Jo Jo Dullard murder case released without charge

    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

  1. Gardaí conclude 10-day search phase at quarry in Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob cases

    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.

  2. Garda Serious Crime Review Team uses drones in search for Dullard and Jacob in 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.

  3. Gardaí recover car axle at search site for missing women Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob

    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.

  4. Gardaí pursue new lead in missing women case, suspect Larry Murphy seen burying something

    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.

  5. Garda Commissioner Kelly: No Decision on Ending Search for Dullard and Jacob Bodies

    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.

  6. Gardaí investigate buried car in 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.

  7. New Search Operation Begins Near Wicklow/Kildare Border in Dullard and Jacob Cases

    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

  1. Gardaí Reiterate Appeal for Information on Josephine Dullard's 30-Year Disappearance

    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

November 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Gardaí release video of Grangecon excavations, renew appeal for Josephine Dullard 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

  1. Gardaí search woodland in Kildare/Wicklow border for Deirdre Jacob remains

    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

August 2018 — 1 developments

  1. An Garda Síochána reclassifies Deirdre Jacob disappearance as murder investigation

    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

  1. Deirdre Jacob case review digitizes CCTV, re-interviews prisoner

    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

November 1995 — 1 developments

  1. Josephine Dullard last seen hitchhiking in County Kildare after missing bus

    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.