The Garda cold case unit, which investigates unsolved homicides and high-profile missing person cases, has had its staffing cut by almost 50% in the past two years.

There were mounting hopes yesterday of a breakthrough in the investigation into the disappearance of Dundalk, Co Louth, teenager Ciara Breen in February 1997 after gardaí arrested a prime suspect for a second time.

Graham Dwyer is expected to be investigated by gardaí in relation to a number of suspected murders and missing women cases, Garda sources said.

A Garda chief has renewed appeals to people with information about the high-profile cases of missing women to end the “living nightmare” of families and come forward.

Crumbling loyalties could lead to breakthroughs in many of the missing women cases, according to a senior garda who investigated them.

BE IT a sunny or a dark day, the Dublin mountains offer majestic views that are attractive to tourists and locals alike. But the old, winding roads that snake up from the suburbia of Tallaght and Rathfarnham can bring you very quickly into dense forest and desolate and dangerous locations.

The results of an autopsy carried out yesterday by Dr Michael Curtis, the deputy state pathologist, on the partial remains discovered near Killakee Mountain, indicate that the victim was more than likely female.

It is 20 years this month since 26-year-old American student Annie McCarrick disappeared in the Dublin mountains, apparently the victim of abduction and murder.

GARDAÍ investigating the crimes of convicted rapist Larry Murphy have found nothing of value from their search of a hunter’s cabin near his former home in west Wicklow.

GARDAÍ investigating the crimes of convicted rapist Larry Murphy have removed the concrete base of a remote hunter’s cabin near his Wicklow home.

Convicted rapist Larry Murphy is tonight spending his first night as a free man after his controversial release from prison.

AS public anger mounts at this morning’s early release from prison of rapist Larry Murphy, it has emerged the Government has backtracked on plans to tag sex offenders after leaving prison.

The problem of reintegrating sex offenders into a society that does not want them has no easy solutions, writes Noel Baker on the freedom of rapist Larry Murphy

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern today revealed he has no power to interfere in the imminent release of one of Ireland’s most notorious rapists.

THE brother of convicted rapist Larry Murphy, due for release next month after 10 years in jail, has insisted the Arbour Hill prisoner will not be living with his family when released.

GARDA Commissioner Noel Conroy has placed unsolved crimes as a major priority in his last year in charge of the force.

GARDAÍ say they are still actively probing the disappearance of a 22 year-old woman who was last seen 12 years ago today.

A Crimestoppers campaign seeking information on the murders of three women and disappearance of five others has produced its largest ever response, it emerged today.

A RECORD number of people have responded to an appeal in relation to the deaths and disappearances of eight women.

A DIRECT appeal went out yesterday to anyone who may be harbouring secrets over the deaths and disappearances of eight women.

Crimestoppers has offered a cash reward for information that will help Gardaí solve eight outstanding cases involving women.

On the 10th anniversary of Jo Jo Dullard’s disappearance, her sister believes she knows the identity of her killer and says gardaí have not done enough, writes Cormac O’Keeffe.

Robert Lesarian Howard, from Wolfhill, Co Laois, was sentenced to life in prison in Britain in 2003 for murder of a 15-year-old English schoolgirl, Hannah Williams.

ROBERT HOWARD always plays the innocent when confronted by detectives in the interrogation room.

A SERIAL rapist, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of a 14-year-old girl in Britain, was investigated by gardaí in connection with the disappearance and murder of three Irish women, it has emerged.

THE surprise arrest of five people in the long running garda probe into the disappearance of Wexford teenager Fiona Sinnott will reawaken poignant memories of the six women who vanished without trace in one of Ireland’s great unsolved mysteries.

GARDAÍ have reopened their investigations into the ‘cold cases’ of six women who disappeared without trace in the 1990s.

GARDAÍ are to use a new sophisticated computer system to help crack the unsolved disappearances of six women.

By Michael O’Farrell, Political Reporter GARDAÍ hunting for Ireland’s missing persons are to receive training by FBI specialists, it emerged last night.

THE Government should move immediately to dispel lingering doubts over its long-term commitment to funding a vital helpline in the search for Irish people who go missing.

A sadistic stalker harassed nine different women over a six-year period by threatening them over the phone and sending obscene mail telling them they'll meet the same fate as missing women like Jo Jo Dollard and Deirdre Jacob, a court has heard.