Man held in search for missing woman

Gardaí are today continuing to search a Co Laois location for missing pregnant woman Aoife Phelan, hours after a man was arrested in connection with her disappearance.

The 30-year-old nanny, from Ballyroan, has not been seen for 11 days. She was last seen meeting a friend in Portlaoise on Thursday, Oct 25.

Despite falling hopes that the case would be solved, officers announced a major breakthrough yesterday after confirming that a local man in his 20s had been arrested in connection with the case.

Within hours, investigating gardaí travelled to a location in Co Laois and began a forensic search for signs of Ms Phelan, which is continuing today.

They have also examined a 4x4 vehicle in which Ms Phelan is believed to have travelled on the night she went missing.

The man, who is in his 20s, is currently being detained at Portlaoise Garda Station under section four of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

He can be held for up to 24 hours, but officers can seek extension orders if required.

Gardaí said that Ms Phelan met with a friend at the Borris Rd roundabout in Portlaoise at about 6.30pm on the night of her disappearance.

She was last seen at 8.10pm that night after leaving a friend’s house in the nearby Colliers View area.

Ms Phelan worked as a live-in au pair at The Hermitage, Portlaoise, and was in work until 6.15pm that evening.

Her family held a candlelit vigil last Friday night in the town and prayed for her safe return.

Relatives have revealed that she was four months pregnant.

However, a relationship she was having broke down in the weeks before her disappearance.

Ms Phelan’s employer raised concerns on Friday, Oct 26, after she did not return to the house at The Hermitage.

Searches have been carried out at several locations in Portlaoise since Ms Phelan disappeared.

Gardaí have also searched for any sign of her mobile phone being used, after it was switched off on Thursday, Oct 25.

When last seen, Ms Phelan was wearing jeans and a knitted jumper. She was also carrying a red bomber-style jacket.

* Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111, or any garda station.