Ireland Case No. 0695Murder, missing person · Co. Wicklow
Gardaí conclude search in Co. Wicklow murder investigation
Jo Jo Dullard, a 21-year-old woman, was last seen in Moone, Co. Kildare, in November 1995, and Deirdre Jacob, an 18-year-old woman, disappeared from Newbridge, Co. Kildare, in July 1998. Larry Murphy, a 61-year-old man who served 10 years for the rape and attempted murder of a woman in Carlow in 2000, is the prime suspect for Jacob's murder, though a file sent to the DPP in 2021 did not result in charges. Gardaí conducted a 10-day excavation at a disused quarry at Castleruddery Upper, Co. Wicklow, in February 2026, and a second search began on 15 June 2026. The search was concluded on 2 July 2026, with results withheld for operational reasons and the families of both women updated on the outcome.
- Reported1 Feb
6 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Jo Jo Dullard, 21, was last seen in Moone, Co. Kildare, on 9 November 1995 after calling a friend from a phone box at 11.37pm to say a driver had stopped.
- Deirdre Jacob, 18, a student teacher based in London, was last seen near her home at Roseberry, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, at about 3pm on 28 July 1998.
- Larry Murphy, 61, is the prime suspect for the abduction and murder of Deirdre Jacob, and Gardaí have credible information that he may have buried at least one vehicle at the search site.
- Where
- The search operations took place at a disused quarry at Castleruddery Upper, Co. Wicklow, near the Wicklow/Kildare border, close to the N81.
- When
- A 10-day excavation was conducted from 16 February 2026, and a second search began on 15 June 2026.
- Investigation
- The searches were led by the Serious Crime Review Team and Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and Kildare Division.
- A file was sent to the DPP in 2021 with Murphy as chief suspect for Jacob's murder, but no charges were directed.
- Gardaí concluded the search on 2 July 2026 and updated the families of both women on the outcome.
- Sentence
- Murphy served 10 years of a 15-year sentence for the rape and attempted murder of a woman he kidnapped in Carlow in 2000 and was released in 2010.
- Cause
- Gardaí believe Jacob's abduction was spur-of-the-moment and sexually motivated.
- Other details
- Gardaí are not linking the two disappearances, and the results of the searches are being withheld for operational reasons.
- Murphy now lives in England and is believed to have been familiar with the land at the search site.
109 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJo Jo Dullard missed her last bus to Kilkenny and boarded a 10pm bus to Naas, Co. Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJo Jo Dullard called her friend Mary Cullinan at 11.37pm from a phone box in Moone, saying a car had stopped for her. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDeirdre Jacob walked into Newbridge town to get a bank draft to send to a college friend in London for their rent deposit. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe last known CCTV recording of Deirdre Jacob was at 2.35pm walking outside the PTSB Bank on Main Street, Newbridge. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe information is believed to be linked to rapist Larry Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatInformation alleges something was buried on the lands at a disused quarry near the Wicklow-Kildare boundary. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA mechanical excavator was used to shift large mounds of earth. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe sentence was for the kidnapping, rape and attempted murder of a woman in the Wicklow Mountains in 2001. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe told her friend a driver had stopped and she was going to take a lift. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe had walked into Newbridge town to organise a rent deposit for her second college year in London, where she was studying to be a teacher. (irishtimes.com)
- whatSpecialist gardaí are using a large digger to excavate a specific site on the plot of land (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí have moved significant amounts of earth, indicating they are burrowing deep into the site (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMurphy served 10 years for the rape and attempted murder of a woman he kidnapped in Carlow in 2000 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMurphy is the prime suspect for the 1998 abduction and murder of 18-year-old Deirdre Jacob (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí have been given credible information that Murphy may have buried at least one vehicle on the land (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOne theory is that Murphy may have put the remains of Ms Jacob in the car and then secretly buried it at the site (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDeirdre Jacob was a student teacher (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe site has been sealed off for a second day (irishmirror.ie)
- whatLarry Murphy, 61, is suspected of abducting and murdering student teacher Deirdre Jacob, who was 18 when she vanished from outside her home in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, in July 1998. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOne theory is that Murphy may have put the remains of Deirdre Jacob in a car and then secretly buried it at the site. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí are also examining the site for any possible connection to Jo Jo Dullard, who was 21 when she was abducted from Moone in Co. Kildare in November 1995. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí have concluded a search operation on open ground in Co Wicklow near the Wicklow/Kildare border. (kildarenow.com)
- whatJacob was a student teacher based in London who was home for the summer (irishtimes.com)
- whatDullard called a friend from a phone box in Moone, Co Kildare, at 11.37pm saying a driver had stopped and she was going to take a lift (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe search operation is on open ground at a location in Co. Wicklow near the Wicklow/Kildare border (garda.ie)
- whereThe search is taking place on open ground in Co. Wicklow near the Wicklow/Kildare border. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe scene at Castleruddery Upper, Co. Wicklow, was sealed off on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- whereMurphy is originally from Baltinglass. (irishtimes.com)
- whereShe disappeared near her family home at Roseberry, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
- whereDeirdre Jacob was last seen outside her home in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, 30km north of the search site (irishmirror.ie)
- whereJo Jo Dullard was last seen in Moone, Co. Kildare, 17km west of the site, in November 1995 (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe site is just off the N81 that connects Wicklow to south Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
- whereDeirdre Jacob was abducted from outside her home in Newbridge, Co Kildare (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe search operation is centred on land at Castleruddery Upper, close to the N81. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe search took place at a disused quarry site at Castleruddery Upper near the Wicklow/Kildare border (irishtimes.com)
- whereJacob disappeared near her family home at Roseberry, Newbridge (irishtimes.com)
- whenDeirdre Jacob was last seen near her home at Roseberry, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, at about 3pm on 28 July 1998. (irishtimes.com)
- whenGardaí began the search operation on the day the article was published. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe information dates back to claimed events at the quarry three decades ago. (irishtimes.com)
- whenJo Jo Dullard, 21, was last seen on 9 November 1995. (irishtimes.com)
- whenShe called a friend from a phone box in Moone, Co. Kildare, at 11.37pm. (irishtimes.com)
- whenDeirdre Jacob, 18, disappeared shortly after 3pm on 28 July 1998. (irishtimes.com)
- whenA digger was brought in to excavate the area on Monday (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe search began on 16 February 2026 and continued for 10 days. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenDeirdre Jacob was 18 when she was abducted from outside her home in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, in 1998. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenJo Jo Dullard was 21 when she was abducted from Moone, Co. Kildare. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob took place in the 1990s. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe search began on 15 June 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- whenDeirdre Jacob was 18 when she disappeared shortly after 3pm on 28 July 1998 (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí believe Jacob's abduction was spur-of-the-moment and sexually motivated (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are investigating the disappearance and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob (garda.ie, kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe area will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days (garda.ie)
- investigationThe search is led by the Serious Crime Review Team and Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí appeal for information via any Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí started a new search at a site in Co. Wicklow near the border with Co. Kildare on 16 February 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe search is part of investigations into the murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationNew information was received that something may have been buried at the site. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe search is predominantly for items as opposed to remains, though remains cannot be ruled out. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe area to be searched will be subject to excavation as well as technical and forensic examinations. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA restriction against the use of drones was put in place in the search area. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe operation is led by the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and local Kildare Division resources. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationMurphy has long been regarded as the chief suspect for the murder of Deirdre Jacob. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAnother man was questioned in 2024 about Jo Jo Dullard's killing. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are treating Murphy as the person suspected of carrying out the alleged burial. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA file was sent to the DPP in 2021 in the Deirdre Jacob murder investigation with Murphy as chief suspect, but no charges were directed. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA man arrested during the November 2024 search was released without charge. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationIn 2018, gardaí travelled to the UK to interview Murphy, who did not substantively engage with them. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí believe a buried vehicle at the site contains the remains of a woman (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe search is expected to last several days (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationFamilies of Deirdre Jacob and Jo Jo Dullard were notified of the search (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are not linking the two disappearances (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí suspect the remains may be those of Deirdre Jacob, who was 18 when she vanished in July 1998 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe search is led by the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and Kildare Division (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAnother suspect for Jo Jo Dullard's disappearance was arrested in November 2024 but released without charge (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAnother plot of land in Wicklow was searched as part of the Dullard search but no trace was found (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí from the Cold Case Unit, or Serious Crime Review Team, decided to excavate the area (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe search operation may last several more days (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí have been digging at the site in rural Co. Wicklow for three days and the excavation is expected to continue on Thursday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDetectives from the Cold Case Unit decided to excavate the area after being told about suspicions about vehicles being buried there. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationNothing had been found at the search site as of the previous evening, and hundreds of tonnes of sand and earth had been removed using a heavy digger. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí completed a 10-day excavation at a site in Co. Wicklow linked to the cold case investigations. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationSpecialist gardai used a large digger to excavate a specific site and moved significant amounts of earth. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí were looking for buried vehicles at the site based on credible information. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí appealed for anyone with information about the two missing women to come forward. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe search was led by the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí will not release the results of the searches for operational reasons. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationA search was also carried out in February at a quarry between Baltinglass and Dunlavin. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact Kildare Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí concluded a search for the remains of Deirdre Jacob and Jo Jo Dullard at a site in Co Wicklow (irishtimes.com)
- investigationExcavations were carried out at another location in the same area earlier in 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe families of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob have been updated on the outcome (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Garda team was acting on intelligence that Larry Murphy was involved in suspicious activity at the site around the time Jacob vanished in July 1998 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationReturning to an area for a second excavation was very unusual in Garda cold case murder investigations (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMurphy was released from prison in 2010 having served 10 years of a 15-year sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe families of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob have been kept updated on the investigation (garda.ie)
- otherThe two disappearances are not currently believed to be connected. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí have kept the families of the two victims updated and they were fully appraised of the day's developments. (kildarenow.com)
- otherGardaí appeal to anyone with any information to contact any Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line. (kildarenow.com)
- otherLarry Murphy served 10 years for the rape and attempted murder of a woman in Co. Carlow in 2000 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDeirdre Jacob's case was upgraded to murder in 2018 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAnnie McCarrick, 27, was last seen in south Dublin in March 1993 and her case was upgraded to murder (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMurphy now lives in England (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLarry Murphy is now living in England and is believed to have been familiar with the land. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLarry Murphy, 61, is the prime suspect for the 1998 abduction and murder of Deirdre Jacob and now lives in England. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe families of both missing women were informed of the end of this phase of the search. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe families of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob have been updated on the outcome of the searches. (kildarenow.com)
- otherRelatives of the missing women visited the February search site. (kildarenow.com)
- otherLarry Murphy remains the prime suspect for the murder of Jacob (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Jul2026Gardaí conclude search linked to Deirdre Jacob and Jo Jo Dullard disappearances
Reports the conclusion of a second search at Castleruddery Upper, Co Wicklow, for the remains of Deirdre Jacob and Jo Jo Dullard, with results withheld for operational reasons. Confirms Larry Murphy remains the prime suspect for Jacob's murder and that Gardaí believe the abduction was spur-of-the-moment and sexually motivated.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacobvictim, Jo Jo Dullard, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Jo Jo Dullardsuspect, Larry Murphy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Larry Murphy - 2 Jul2026Gardaí issue statement on Deirdre Jacob search on Kildare border
Reports that gardaí have concluded a search on open ground in Co Wicklow near the Wicklow/Kildare border, led by the Serious Crime Review Team, and that a February search at a quarry between Baltinglass and Dunlavin was also carried out.
victim, Jo Jo Dullard, female, irish (judged from name)Jo Jo Dullardvictim, Deirdre Jacob, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacob - 25 Feb2026Gardai issue new update after 10 day dig in search for missing women
Reports the completion of a 10-day excavation at Castleruddery Upper, Co. Wicklow, linked to the cold case investigations into the murders of Deirdre Jacob (1998) and Jo Jo Dullard (1990s), with a further assessment of the site still ongoing.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacobvictim, Jo Jo Dullard, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Jo Jo Dullardsuspect, Larry Murphy, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Larry Murphy - 19 Feb2026Specialist gardai probing monster Larry Murphy to return to Wicklow dig site
Reports the continuation of the dig operation at Castleruddery Upper on 19 February 2026, detailing the theories being examined (a buried car with remains), Murphy's familiarity with the land, and the secondary examination for a connection to the Jo Jo Dullard case.
suspect, Larry Murphy, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Larry Murphyvictim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacobvictim, Jo Jo Dullard, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Jo Jo Dullard - 17 Feb2026Wicklow murder search enters day two as gardai seek buried vehicle
Day two of the search; specialist gardaí using a large digger to excavate deep into the site; credible information that Murphy may have buried at least one vehicle; Murphy now lives in England; search may last several more days; Gardaí also examining site for possible connection to missing Kilkenny woman Jo Jo Dullard but are not linking the two cases.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacobsuspect, Larry Murphy, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Larry Murphy - 17 Feb2026Larry Murphy killed woman and secretly buried her at Wicklow site, gardai told
Gardaí sealed off a site 10km north of Baltinglass and brought in a digger to excavate a sand bank where they believe a buried vehicle containing a woman's remains may be found. The search is led by the Serious Crime Review Team and is expected to last several days. Families of both Deirdre Jacob and Jo Jo Dullard were notified, though Gardaí are not linking the two disappearances.
suspect, Larry Murphy, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Larry Murphyvictim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacobvictim, Jo Jo Dullard, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Jo Jo Dullard - 16 Feb2026Larry Murphy linked to search over disappearances of Deirdre Jacob and Jo Jo Dullard
Reports a new search operation at a quarry near the Wicklow-Kildare boundary linked to Larry Murphy, provides details of both women's disappearances, Murphy's criminal history, and prior investigative steps including a 2021 DPP file and a November 2024 search near Grangecon.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacobvictim, 21, female, irish (judged from name)suspect, Larry Murphy, 60, male, named, irish (judged from name)Larry Murphy - 16 Feb2026BREAKING: Kildare Gardaí involved in new local search for JoJo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob
Reports a new search operation on open ground near the Wicklow/Kildare border, led by the Serious Crime Review Team, and an appeal for information. No suspect or arrest is named in the article.
victim, Jo Jo Dullard, irish (judged from name)Jo Jo Dullardvictim, Deirdre Jacob, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacob - 16 Feb2026New Garda search connected to disappearances of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob welcomed
Reports a new search operation at a site in Co. Wicklow near the Kildare border, connected to the ongoing investigations into the 1995 and 1998 disappearances. Provides detailed timelines of both women's last known movements and confirms no arrests were made as part of the search.
victim, 21, female, irish (judged from name)victim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacob - 1 Feb2026Search Operation – Ongoing Investigations into the Disappearance and Murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob
Announces the commencement of a search operation on open ground near the Wicklow/Kildare border, led by the Serious Crime Review Team and Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob.
victim, Jo Jo Dullard, irish (judged from name)Jo Jo Dullardvictim, Deirdre Jacob, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacob