Man arrested in missing Kilkenny woman investigation; gardaí confirm new search operation

A man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance and murder of Josephine ‘Jo Jo’ Dullard.

The dramatic development is the first ever arrest in the case of the Kilkenny woman, who has been missing for 29 years.

The male, who is in his 50s, is being detained under the provisions of Section 4, Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in county Kildare.

Gardaí also confirmed they have begun a search operation on open ground at a location near the Wicklow/Kildare border.

A Garda spokesperson said: “This area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days.

“The arrest and search operation is being led by the investigation team from Kildare Division Serious Crime Unit and the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

“The search is being carried out by the Kildare Divisional Search Team supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and local Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.

“The search operation has the support of other state expertise, if required, including the attendance of a Forensic Archaeologist on site.”

Gardaí also confirmed they carried out searches of private residences this morning as part of their investigation.

The spokesperson said gardaí “continues to keep the family of Jo Jo Dullard fully updated in relation to this investigation and they have been fully appraised of all of today’s developments”.

They added: “An Garda Síochána appeals 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.”