Search to resume as man held over Jo Jo Dullard murder

Gardaí are searching land in Co Wicklow for human remains and other evidence as part of the investigation into the murder of Jo Jo Dullard.

The 21-year-old went missing 29 years ago as she was on her way back to Kilkenny from Dublin on 9 November 1995.

Ms Dullard was hitchhiking home to Kilkenny, and took a lift at Moone in Co Kildare, and has not been seen since.

A 55-year-old man arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder remains in garda custody. He must be charged or released this afternoon.

Gardaí are for a second day searching lands in Ballyhook, Grangecon in Co Wicklow as part of the murder investigation into the disappearance of Ms Dullard.

The missing persons investigation was upgraded to murder four years ago.

Access roads remain closed off today as heavy machinery is being used. The site comprises agricultural land with outhouses, sheds and other buildings, some of which have already been searched.

The area is only 11km from Moone, where Ms Dullard spoke to a friend of hers from a phone box and told her she had a lift. The drive to the site is 15 minutes from the phone box.

Gardaí are searching for human remains and any other evidence that could place Ms Dullard at that location, such as clothing or personal belongings like her Sanyo Stereo Cassette Player, which she had with her the night she disappeared.

There has been speculation that one person was responsible for the murders of a number of missing women in the midlands and east of the country in the 1990s, but detectives do not believe they are dealing with a serial killer in this case.

They say, however, it is not unusual for killers to keep something belonging to a victim or fail to dispose of it fully and evidence like that has solved many other cases.

The 55-year-old man arrested yesterday morning on suspicion of murder remains in garda custody.

His period of detention has been extended twice, for six hours by a Superintendent and last night for an additional twelve hours by a Chief Superintendent to allow gardaí time to put all evidence gathered to him.

The suspect whom gardaí believe had some contact with Ms Dullard on the night she disappeared rested overnight but must be charged or released later today.

In November 2020, on the 25th anniversary of her disappearance, gardaí confirmed that it was classified as a murder investigation as they were satisfied that serious harm came to Ms Dullard on or about the night of 9 November 1995.

Gardaí have urged anyone with information to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884 300 or any garda station.

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

Read more:
Missing to murder: The long search to find Jo Jo Dullard
What is known about Jo Jo Dullard’s disappearance?
Appeal on 29th anniversary of Jo Jo Dullard disappearance