Gardaí wind down search of land as hunt continues for missing Kilkenny woman’s killer

Gardaí have completed their search of open ground as part of their investigation into the disappearance and murder of missing Kilkenny woman Josephine ‘Jo Jo’ Dullard.

The search had been taking place at a large area of land near the Wicklow-Kildare border.

It coincided with what appeared to be a breakthrough in the three decades-old case with the first arrest of a suspect last month. However, the man in his 50s was subsequently released without charge.

In a statement, gardaí confirmed the search has completed but said it is “not commenting further… for operational reasons”.

They said Ms Dullard’s family have been updated “on the current position of the investigation”.

The 21-year-old went missing from Moone in Co. Kildare in 1995 while she was hitch-hiking from Dublin to her home in Callan. The case was upgraded from a missing persons to a murder inquiry in 2020.

Since 2020, nearly 800 recommendations were actioned by the Investigation Team based at Naas Garda Station, under the direction of the Senior Investigating Officer, assisted by An Garda Síochána Serious Crime Review Team.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Recent Garda activity has also been of assistance to the investigation team. An Garda Síochána acknowledges the significant response of the public to these recent appeals and events.”

Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who may have previously come forward, or who felt they could not provide all the information they had in relation to the case, to again make contact with the investigation team.

The spokesperson added: “An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you might believe it to be, to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884 300 or any Garda station, or anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

“Any information will be treated with the strictest confidence.”