Three arrested on suspicion of murder of man who disappeared in 2019 released without charge

William Delaney. File Picture

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 56-year-old Tipperary man who went missing six years ago have been released without charge. 

William Delaney, a married father of eight, was last seen alive on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, in Portlaoise, where he lived. 

On that date, he left Portlaoise General Hospital where he had been undergoing treatment. Gardaí established that William later collected his welfare payment at Portlaoise Post Office after leaving the hospital.

The last confirmed sighting of William was at 3pm on that afternoon in Monasterevin, Co Kildare where he called to visit a relative who lived in the area. 

The relation wasn’t at home at the time, but William was seen outside the premises, which is located on the old Cork-Dublin Road, directly opposite the Hazel Hotel.

Mr Delaney was officially reported reported missing by his family on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

In June 2019, gardaí received information that William Delaney had been killed and that his body had been buried at a location in Co Laois. 

A comprehensive search was subsequently conducted in the area surrounding the Rock of Dunamaise, but no remains were discovered.

On Monday, gardaí in Portlaoise said that three people - two women and a man - had been arrested in connection with the investigation into William Delaney's murder.

The arrested women, who are aged in their 30s and 50s, and the man, who is aged in his 30s, were detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at Garda Stations in the Midland and South Western regions.

In an update on Tuesday morning, gardaí said they were released without charge

"Investigations are ongoing," a garda spokesperson said.

!Gardaí continue to appeal to the community and would like to thank them for their assistance so far, however gardaí believe that people in the community have information and have not yet come forward.

An Garda Síochána, are appealing for information on the murder of William Delaney and any persons with any information are asked to contact Gardaí at Portlaoise on 057-8674100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station," the spokesperson added.