Ireland Case No. 0514Murder · Co. Kildare · 28 Jul 1998
Gardaí renew appeal in Deirdre Jacob murder case, Newbridge
Deirdre Jacob, 18, vanished on 28 July 1998 after walking into Newbridge town, Co Kildare, to collect a bank draft. Larry Murphy, a convicted rapist, is the prime suspect after a former prisoner claimed he told him he killed her during an abduction. The case was upgraded from missing person to murder in 2018, and the DPP decided not to charge Murphy in 2025 over concerns about a key witness's credibility. A search at a quarry on the Kildare-Wicklow border concluded in June 2026, and gardaí issued a renewed public appeal on the 28th anniversary in July 2026.
- Reported22 Oct
4 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Deirdre Jacob, 18 (reports differ: 19), vanished on 28 July 1998 after walking into Newbridge town to collect a £100 bank draft for a college friend in London.
- Where
- She was last seen near her home in Roseberry, Newbridge, Co Kildare, at approximately 3pm, with the final CCTV sighting outside PTSB on Main Street at 2.35pm.
- Cause
- A former prisoner claimed Larry Murphy told him he killed Deirdre immediately after she struggled during an abduction.
- Investigation
- The missing person case was upgraded to a murder investigation in 2018 on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance.
- Gardaí believe a circumstantial case could still be built against Murphy, who is the prime suspect.
- A search at a disused quarry at Castleruddery Upper on the Kildare-Wicklow border was conducted in June 2026 and concluded.
- Gardaí issued a renewed public appeal on 27 July 2026 on the 28th anniversary of her disappearance.
- Charges
- The DPP decided not to charge Larry Murphy in 2025, citing concerns about the credibility of a key witness at trial.
- Other details
- Deirdre was carrying a black satchel bag with the word CAT in large yellow capital letters, which has never been located.
- Her parents, Michael and Bernadette Jacob, renewed their appeal for information.
78 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe parents of Deirdre Jacob renewed their appeal for information relating to her murder. (kildarenow.com)
- whatDeirdre was 18 years old in 1998. (irishmirror.ie, kildarenow.com, garda.ie)
- whatOn the day she went missing, Deirdre walked into Newbridge town to get a bank draft to send to a college friend in London for their rent deposit. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatWhen she went missing she was wearing a navy v-neck t-shirt with white trim, navy or black straight jeans and blue Nike runners. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDeirdre was carrying a distinctive black satchel bag with the word CAT in large yellow capital letters on the side, which has never been located. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDeirdre was wearing a navy v-neck t-shirt with a white trim, navy or black straight jeans and blue Nike runners. (kildarenow.com)
- whatShe was carrying a black satchel-type bag that has never been located. (kildarenow.com)
- whatOn the day she went missing she walked into Newbridge town to get a bank draft to send to a college friend in London for their rent deposit (garda.ie)
- whatAt 2.14pm she was observed on CCTV walking on Main Street Newbridge (garda.ie)
- whatAt approximately 2.18pm she was observed in the AIB bank getting a £100 bank draft (garda.ie)
- whatAt 2.26pm she was observed on CCTV queuing in the Post Office Newbridge (garda.ie)
- whatAt 2.32pm she was observed on CCTV speaking with a friend outside the Post Office on Main Street, Newbridge (garda.ie)
- whatAt 2.35pm the last CCTV sighting was recorded walking outside the PTSB Bank on Main Street, Newbridge (garda.ie)
- whatShe was wearing a navy v-neck t-shirt with white trim, navy or black straight jeans and blue Nike runners (garda.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatShe was carrying a distinctive black satchel type bag with long shoulder straps and the word CAT in large yellow capital letters on the side (garda.ie)
- whatThe black satchel bag has never been located (garda.ie)
- whatShe walked into Newbridge town to get a bank draft to send to a college friend in London for their rent deposit. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe was seen in the AIB bank getting a £100 bank draft. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDeirdre Jacob was 5ft 3in, slim with grey-green eyes and dark, chin-length hair. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe was carrying a black satchel-type bag with the word CAT in large yellow capital letters, which has never been located. (irishtimes.com)
- whereDeirdre Jacob vanished from the roadside close to her family home just outside Newbridge, Co Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
- whereDeirdre vanished from outside her home in Newbridge. (kildarenow.com)
- whereAn excavator is removing soil at an old quarry between Dunlavin and Baltinglass on the Kildare/Wicklow border. (kildarenow.com)
- whereShe was last seen near her home in Roseberry, Newbridge, at about 3pm. (kildarenow.com)
- whereHer last sighting on CCTV was outside the PTSB Bank on Main Street in Newbridge at 2.35pm. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe search began on 15 June at a disused quarry site at Castleruddery Upper near the Wicklow-Kildare border. (irishtimes.com)
- whenDeirdre Jacob vanished on 28 July 1998. (irishtimes.com)
- whenDeirdre was last seen on 28 July 1998. (kildarenow.com)
- whenDeirdre left her home around lunchtime and walked into town. (kildarenow.com)
- whenDeirdre Jacob vanished from the roadside near her family home outside Newbridge on July 28th, 1998. (kildarenow.com)
- whenDeirdre Jacob was last seen on 28 July 1998 near her home in Roseberry, Newbridge, Co Kildare at approximately 3pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAt 2.14pm Deirdre was observed on CCTV walking on Main Street Newbridge. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAt approximately 2.18pm Deirdre was observed in the AIB bank getting a £100 bank draft. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAt 2.26pm Deirdre was observed on CCTV queuing in the Post Office Newbridge. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAt 2.32pm Deirdre was observed on CCTV speaking with a friend outside the Post Office on Main Street, Newbridge. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAt 2.35pm the last CCTV sighting of Deirdre was recorded walking outside the PTSB Bank on Main Street, Newbridge. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenDeirdre Jacob was last seen on Tuesday, July 28, 1998. (kildarenow.com)
- whenDeirdre Jacob was last seen on 28 July 1998 near her home in Roseberry, Newbridge, County Kildare at approximately 3pm (garda.ie)
- whenDeirdre Jacob was last seen near her home in Roseberry, Newbridge, Co Kildare, at about 3pm on 28 July 1998. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAt 2.14pm on 28 July 1998, she was recorded on CCTV walking on Main Street, Newbridge. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAt 2.26pm she was caught on CCTV queuing in the post office in Newbridge. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAt 2.32pm she was recorded on CCTV speaking with a friend outside the post office. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe last CCTV sighting was at 2.35pm as she walked outside PTSB on Main Street. (irishtimes.com)
- causeA former prisoner claimed Murphy told him he killed Ms Jacob immediately after she struggled during an abduction. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are continuing to investigate the murder of Deirdre Jacob with Larry Murphy as the prime suspect. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí believed the key witness's information was credible. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí used modern technology to enhance CCTV images from around Newbridge on the day Ms Jacob went missing. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe enhanced CCTV images did not link Murphy to the crime and were not clear enough for witnesses to identify anyone. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí believe a case could still be built against Murphy on circumstantial evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCCTV footage shows Deirdre at the AIB bank on Main Street and then at the Post Office. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe final CCTV shows her passing the old Irish Permanent Building Society on her way home. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí began an extensive search operation that became one of the biggest Ireland has seen. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationHer case was upgraded from missing person to murder in 2018. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationAnyone with information is asked to contact Crimecall or Newbridge Garda Station. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe missing persons case was upgraded to a murder investigation in 2018. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí are acting on information that materials connected to a missing woman may be buried at a specified sand pit. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationEarlier information claimed that Larry Murphy, a convicted rapist and key suspect for the murder of Ms Jacob, may have buried vehicles at the site. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe search is being led by the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and Kildare Division resources. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationA Garda spokesperson said the search is ongoing. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationOn the 20th anniversary of her disappearance the missing person investigation was upgraded to a murder investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe murder investigation is conducted by Detectives attached to the Kildare Divisional Serious Crime Office under a Senior Investigating Officer. (irishmirror.ie, garda.ie)
- investigationAn incident room remains in place at Newbridge Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie, kildarenow.com, garda.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe garda investigation was upgraded to a murder investigation in 2018. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationA dig operation was carried out by gardaí last month in relation to the investigation. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe murder investigation is run by detectives from the Kildare Divisional Serious Crime Office under a Senior Investigating Officer. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationOn the 20th anniversary the missing person investigation was upgraded to a murder investigation (garda.ie)
- investigationEight years ago gardaí upgraded the missing person investigation to a murder inquiry. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe murder inquiry is conducted by detectives at the Kildare Divisional Serious Crime Office. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí concluded a search at a site in Co Wicklow for the remains of Deirdre Jacob and Jo Jo Dullard in June 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe DPP's office decided last year not to charge Murphy. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP was concerned that the credibility of a key witness, a former prisoner, would be called into question at a murder trial. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDeirdre Jacob was 19 and had gone into Newbridge for a bank draft to pay for student accommodation in London. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHer parents featured on Monday night's episode of Crimecall. (kildarenow.com)
- otherNo trace of Deirdre has ever been found, and her parents still have no answers. (kildarenow.com)
- otherGardaí said they are unable to determine how long the operation will take. (kildarenow.com)
- otherDeirdre had been living in London and was due to return to college that September. (kildarenow.com)
- otherAnyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team at Newbridge Garda Station on 045 440 180. (kildarenow.com)
- otherHer parents are Michael and Bernadette. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Jul2026Gardaí appeal for information on Deirdre Jacob’s disappearance and murder 28 years ago
Fresh Gardaí appeal for information 28 years after Deirdre Jacob's disappearance; details of her last day on CCTV provided; search for remains at Castleruddery Upper quarry concluded in June 2026; case upgraded to murder inquiry eight years ago.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacob - 27 Jul202627/07/2026 Renewed Appeal to the Public for Information on the Disappearance and Murder of Deirdre Jacob, 28th July 1998
Renewed public appeal on the 28th anniversary of Deirdre Jacob's disappearance; confirms the murder investigation is ongoing under the Kildare Divisional Serious Crime Office with an incident room at Newbridge Garda Station.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacob - 27 Jul2026Gardaí release new appeal ahead of anniversary of missing Kildare woman Deirdre Jacob
Renewed garda appeal ahead of the 28th anniversary of Deirdre Jacob's disappearance. Describes the 2018 upgrade to a murder investigation, a recent dig operation, her last-seen timeline and description, and the incident room at Newbridge Garda Station.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacob - 27 Jul2026Gardai determined to crack Deirdre Jacob murder investigation 28 years on
Provides a detailed CCTV timeline of Deirdre's last day, her physical description and clothing, confirms the investigation is ongoing under the Kildare Divisional Serious Crime Office, and names her parents Michael and Bernadette.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacob - 18 Feb2026LATEST: Gardai issue update as Deirdre Jacob investigation search enters third day on Kildare border
Reports the search at the quarry on the Kildare/Wicklow border entering its third day, the information that materials may be buried at a sand pit, and that Larry Murphy was named as a key suspect in earlier information. No arrest or charge is reported.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacobsuspect, Larry Murphy, named, irish (judged from name)Larry Murphy - 22 Oct2025'Alarm bells ringing,' Kildare parents heartbreaking Crimecall appeal over murdered daughter
Parents' Crimecall appeal 27 years on; repeats the 1998 timeline and CCTV trail, adds the parents' comments and the Crimecall and Newbridge Garda Station contact details.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacob - 15 May2023Gardaí still hopeful of charges against Larry Murphy for Deirdre Jacob murder
Adds that the DPP directed no charge against Murphy last year, explains the DPP's concerns about a key witness, and says gardaí believe a circumstantial case could still be built. Adds the CCTV enhancement and the witness account of the alleged abduction.
victim, Deirdre Jacob, 19, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacobsuspect, Larry Murphy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Larry Murphy