Search continues at house in Meath as gardaí probe 2013 disappearance of Elizabeth Clarke

An Garda Síochána appealed for anyone with information about Elizabeth Clarke's disappearance to come forward after they re-classified the case as a murder investigation

A garda on duty in Navan, Co Meath, outside the house where Elizabeth Clarke was living when she disappeared in 2013. Gardaí are now treating the case as a murder investigation. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA 

Searches remain ongoing at a house in Meath as part of the garda probe into the disappearance Elizabeth Clarke, which was last week upgraded to a murder investigation.

An Garda Síochána said last week that it was searching the home in Navan after the result of extensive enquiries led to the case of Ms Clarke being re-classified as a murder investigation.

On Friday, investigators spent much of the day clearing a “mountain” of waste and material from the house in order to begin a search for her remains.

Ms Clarke was living at the home in Navan when she disappeared in 2013.

An open upstairs window at the house in Navan, Co Meath where Elizabeth Clarke was living in 2013 which is now being searched by gardaí. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

She was not reported missing at the time and a report was only made to gardaí in January 2015 when her own family, who she had not been living with, discovered she was missing.

The mother of two was aged 24 at the time of her disappearance.

The house is the subject of a separate investigation into the rape and neglect of children and a vulnerable adult.

One of the men linked to the abuse investigation is also associated with the investigation into the 11-year-old disappearance of Ms Clarke.

A search warrant was obtained to search the premises, and it began on Friday morning. On Sunday, it was still ongoing.

Elizabeth Clarke, from Portrane, Co Dublin, who was reported missing in November 2013.

It was indicated that after the house was clear of waste and other material, the Garda Technical Bureau and search teams would begin looking for any possible remains. A forensic archaeologist is available to assist gardaí if needed.

A garda statement said: “Investigating Gardaí continue to appeal to any person or persons with information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Elizabeth Clarke to please come forward to the investigation team."

“Do not assume that An Garda Síochána either know that information and/or that it has limited value. Let the investigation team make that assessment.

Forensic officers at a house which is being searched in Navan, Co Meath as the investigation into the disappearance of Elizabeth Clarke, a mother-of-two from Co Meath, was upgraded to a murder investigation. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

“Given the time frame of this investigation, Gardaí are asking the public that if they have any information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Elizabeth and for some reason held back on information they may have had, to come forward now. 

"An Garda Síochána wish to reassure them that they will be treated sensitively.”