Gardaí conclude fresh Wicklow searches for Dullard, Jacob

Gardaí have confirmed that fresh searches in the investigations into the disappearances and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob have concluded.

The searches on open ground at a location in Co Wicklow near the border with Co Kildare commenced on 15 June.

The results of the latest searches will not be released for operational reasons, gardaí said.

Gardaí have updated the families of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob in relation to the outcome of the searches.

The Defence Forces assisted gardaí in completing a ground survey as part of the searches last month.

Ms Dullard, who was 21, travelled to Dublin to socialise on 9 November 1995.

She missed the last bus home to Kilkenny and boarded a bus to Naas in Co Kildare instead, from where she intended to hitch a lift to her home in Callan.

After taking two lifts to reach Moone in Co Kildare, she phoned a friend at 11.37pm.

This was the last anyone heard from her. She was reported missing the following morning.

Deirdre Jacob was last seen at around 3pm on Tuesday, 28 July 1998 crossing the road towards the entrance to her home at Roseberry, Newbridge, Co Kildare.

When last seen, the 18-year-old was wearing a navy v-neck T-shirt with white trim on the collar and sleeves, navy or black straight jeans and blue Nike runners.

She was carrying a distinctive black satchel-type bag with long shoulder-straps with CAT in large yellow letters printed on the front of the bag. The bag has never been found.

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone with any information to contact Kildare garda station on 045 527 730 or any garda station.

Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, gardaí said.