Fresh search in Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob murder probes after information received by gardaí

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026 - 11:14

Cormac O’Keeffe

Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob have started a search operation at an old sand pit on the Wicklow/Kildare border.

The search was ordered after information was received that something was buried at the location, which would be of interest to gardaí in relation to a missing woman.

Given the information was not specific on which woman it related to, and the location is a relevant search area for both Ms Dullard and Ms Jacob, gardaí said their search was connected to both investigations.

In a statement, Garda HQ said: “Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob are today commencing a search operation on open ground at a location in Co Wicklow near the Wicklow/Kildare border.

Deirdre Jacob (left) went missing in 1998 while Jo Jo Dullard (right) disappeared in 1995.

“This area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days.” The location is an old quarry outside the town of Dunlavin, which is just inside the Co Wicklow border, adjacent to Co Kildare.

The latest information was received, from an anonymous source, by the Garda Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT), which is leading the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Ms Dullard.

It is not clear if this suggests the information might relate to Ms Dullard more than Ms Jacob.

In assessing the information, the SCRT brought in the Kildare Division — which is conducting the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Ms Jacob — as well as officers from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

On the night of November 9, 1995, Josephine “Jo Jo” Dullardhitched lifts between the Co Kildare town of Kilcullen and the Kildare village of Moone as she tried to make her way home to Callan, Co Kilkenny. Her last known stop was Moone as it was where she rang a friend from a phone box.

She would have travelled down the R448, which connects the two locations. Dunlavin is on the way and lies just off the regional road.

Ms Dullard, aged 21, had got a bus from Dublin city to Naas, Co Kildare, that night, before getting a lift over to Kilcullen.

Gardaí have conducted a number of searches in related to Ms Dullard and have a key suspect, who lives in Leinster.

Ms Jacob, aged 18, disappeared near the front gates of her parents’ home in Roseberry, Newbridge, Co Kildare on the afternoon of July 28 1998, some 25km away from Dunlavin.

Kildare gardaí, which have been assisted by the SCRT, did make progress in recent years and recommended that convicted rapist Larry Murphy, who is based in England, be charged with the murder of the 18-year-old student.

But the DPP came back in 2022 and directed against charges, which came as a disappointment to investigating gardaí at the time, who believed they had sufficient evidence.

Today’s statement from Garda HQ said: “An Garda Síochána continue to keep an open mind into these investigations and follow up any information which is brought to the investigation team based at the Serious Crime Review Team.

“The arrest and search operation is being led by the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and local resources from Kildare Division as required.” It said the search operation has the support of other state expertise, if required.

“An Garda Síochána has been and continues to keep the families of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob updated in relation to these investigations and they have been fully appraised of today's developments,” the statement said.

“An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you might believe it to be to contact any Garda station, or anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.”