Ireland Garda appeal renewed in 2009 murder of Paul Byrne in Wicklow
Paul 'Frank' Byrne, a 20-year-old man, was last seen on 15 July 2009 at Kilmartin Green in Tallaght, Dublin 24, and was reported missing by his mother the following day. His remains were discovered on 29 July 2010 by a forestry worker in a wooded area near Blessington, County Wicklow, and identified through DNA profiling. Five people have been arrested in the investigation to date, including a man in his late 30s arrested in the Dublin area on 30 January 2023 and released without charge on 31 January 2023, with a file to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. No one has been brought to justice, and Gardaí renewed their appeal for information on 15 July 2026.
- Reported15 Jul
- Arrested30 Jan
2 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Paul 'Frank' Byrne was last seen on 15 July 2009 at Kilmartin Green in Tallaght, Dublin 24, leaving in a 2000 registered wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma with other males.
- When
- He was reported missing by his mother at Tallaght Garda Station on 16 July 2009.
- Where
- His remains were discovered on 29 July 2010 by a forestry worker in a wooded area in the Ballyfolan area of Blessington, County Wicklow, on the Kildare/Wicklow border.
- Investigation
- His body was identified through DNA profiling.
- A Missing Persons investigation was launched and later taken over by Gardaí in Baltinglass following the discovery of his remains.
- Five people have been arrested in the investigation to date, but no one has been brought to justice.
- A man in his late 30s was arrested in the Dublin area on 30 January 2023 and released without charge on 31 January 2023, with a file to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Gardaí renewed their appeal for information on 15 July 2026.
- In court
- The man was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 as amended.
30 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man in his late 30s was arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Paul 'Frank' Byrne (rte.ie)
- whatThe man was released without charge (rte.ie)
- whatThe man was the fifth person arrested in the investigation into the murder (rte.ie)
- whatPaul 'Frank' Byrne was reported missing by his mother the day after he was last seen (rte.ie)
- whatThe remains of Paul Byrne were discovered in a wooded area. (kildarenow.com)
- wherePaul 'Frank' Byrne was found by a forestry worker felling trees in a remote area in Blessington, County Wicklow, on 29 July 2010 (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHe was taken to Baltinglass Garda Station (irishmirror.ie)
- wherePaul 'Frank' Byrne was last seen on 15 July 2009 at Kilmartin Green in the Tallaght area of Co Dublin (rte.ie)
- wherePaul 'Frank' Byrne's remains were found by forestry workers felling trees in the Ballyfolan area of Blessington, Co Wicklow (rte.ie)
- whereThe remains were found by a forestry worker near Blessington, on the Kildare/Wicklow border. (kildarenow.com)
- wherePaul Byrne was last seen at Kilmartin Green in Tallaght, Dublin 24. (kildarenow.com)
- whenMr. Byrne was last seen on 15 July 2009 at Kilmartin Green, Tallaght (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe then 20-year-old was reported missing by his mother at Tallaght Garda Station on 16 July 2009 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenA man was arrested on Monday 30 January 2023 in the Dublin area (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder took place more than 12 years before the arrest (rte.ie)
- whenPaul 'Frank' Byrne's remains were discovered on 29 July 2010 (rte.ie)
- whenPaul Byrne was last seen on 15 July 2009. (kildarenow.com)
- whenPaul Byrne was reported missing by his mother the following day. (kildarenow.com)
- causeGardaí are investigating the murder of Paul Byrne. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationA Missing Persons investigation was launched (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe probe was taken over by Gardaí in Baltinglass following the discovery of his remains (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationHis body was identified by way of DNA profiling (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThis is the fifth arrest to date in connection with the investigation (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (rte.ie)
- investigationPaul 'Frank' Byrne's remains were identified through a DNA profile (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for information from anyone who may have information since 2009. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationFive people have been arrested in connection with the investigation, but no one has been brought to justice. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationAnyone with information can contact Gardaí in Blessington. (kildarenow.com)
- courtHe is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 as amended (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPaul Byrne was reported to have left the estate in a 2000 registered wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma accompanied by other males. (kildarenow.com)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Jul2026Garda appeal over murder of man whose body was found on Kildare border
Renewed public appeal in an unsolved case. The article says five people have been arrested in the investigation to date but that no one has been brought to justice. No new arrests or charges are reported.
victim, Paul 'Frank' Byrne, 20, male, irish (judged from name)Paul 'Frank' Byrne - 31 Jan2023Gardaí investigating Wicklow murder release man
Reports that a man in his late 30s, the fifth person arrested in the Paul Byrne murder investigation, was released without charge on 31 January 2023, with a file to be prepared for the DPP.
victim, Paul 'Frank' Byrne, male, irish (judged from name)Paul 'Frank' Byrnesuspect, late 30s, male - 30 Jan2023Man arrested in connection with disappearance and murder of Paul 'Frank' Byrne
Reports the fifth arrest in the investigation: a man in his late 30s arrested in the Dublin area on 30 January 2023 and detained at Baltinglass Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
victim, Paul 'Frank' Byrne, 20, male, irish (judged from name)Paul 'Frank' Byrnesuspect, late 30s, male