Search of house linked to suspect in Annie McCarrick case to continue over weekend, gardaí say
A cadaver dog — specialising in detecting scent of human remains — was used on Friday to assist in an extensive search of a property in Clondalkin, West Dublin. Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins
Detailed searches are set to continue over the weekend at a house linked to missing US woman Annie McCarrick as a suspect for her murder was released from custody on Friday.
A cadaver dog — specialising in detecting scent of human remains — was used on Friday to assist in an extensive search of a property in Clondalkin, West Dublin.
The man arrested on suspicion of her murder — the first arrest in the 32-year-old case — had previously lived at the property, which is quite large and has a long, 100ft, back garden.
It is understood the use of the cadaver dog, on loan from the PSNI, is a “normal part” of the search and does not indicate possible signs of something potentially suspicious have been uncovered.
Sources said “some luck” was needed in their efforts, but said searches and tests would proceed over the coming days.
Ms McCarrick, aged 26, went missing from her home in Sandymount, South-East Dublin, in March 1993.
As reported in the Irish Examiner on Thursday, Garda sources were urging people not to raise expectations of a significant breakthrough in the case.
Statements made by the suspect — a businessman aged in his 60s — during lengthy questioning will now be closely scrutinised by detectives to check for comparisons, or discrepancies, with previous statements given by the man many years ago.
Gardaí had a “significant amount” of evidence and questions to put to the man, including in relation to his previous alibis.
The man was associated in some way with Ms McCarrick back in 1993.
Gardaí have repeatedly stressed the current residents of the house are not involved in any shape or form with the investigation.
A statement from Garda HQ on Friday afternoon said: “Gardaí continue to investigate the disappearance and murder of Annie McCarrick in March 1993.
“The male aged in his 60s who was arrested on the morning of June 12, 2025, and detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, has been released without charge.
Garda sources said they were going to use every “last minute” of the time allowed to detain someone for murder in their questioning of the suspect.
The suspect was arrested on Thursday morning and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
This allows, on foot of extensions by senior officers, a maximum detention period of 24 hours, excluding sleep breaks.
His detention ran out at around 2pm on Friday, and he was released without charge.
Sources had said the man’s detention would go to the “last minute”, as detectives squeezed all the time they can legally hold someone in custody.
Two years ago, gardaí upgraded the case to a murder investigation and have been following a line of inquiry focusing on two men.
Ms McCarrick was reported missing by a friend on March 28, 1993, two days after she was last seen in by her flatmates in Sandymount.
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