Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 9278Murder · Co. Kildare

Gardaí resume dig in probe into murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob

Gardaí are investigating the murders of Jo Jo Dullard, who disappeared in 1995 from Moone, County Kildare, and Deirdre Jacob, who was last seen on 28 July 1998 near her home in Newbridge. Gardaí upgraded the disappearances to murder investigations in 2018, although one source says Dullard's case was upgraded earlier this year. Gardaí travelled to London to interview a chief suspect a number of years ago, but this did not generate sufficient leads. A further dig took place in February, and a new dig at Usk Little on the Wicklow and Kildare border is set to resume on Tuesday morning, with Irish Defence Forces personnel involved. Gardaí have not yet found anything at the new dig site.

  1. Reported1 Jun
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí are investigating the murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob.
When
  • Jo Jo Dullard disappeared in 1995 from Moone, County Kildare.
  • Deirdre Jacob was last seen on 28 July 1998 near her home in Newbridge.
Where
The dig is focused on an area of ground at Usk Little on the Wicklow and Kildare border, reached through credible information.
Investigation
  • Irish Defence Forces personnel are involved in the operation.
  • Gardaí upgraded the disappearances to murder investigations in 2018, while one source says Dullard's disappearance was upgraded earlier this year.
  • Investigators from the Serious Crime Review Team in the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation are working through witness statements, and new witnesses have come forward since the renewed focus on the case.
  • Gardaí travelled to London a number of years ago to interview a chief suspect, but this did not generate sufficient leads.
  • Another dig took place in February, and gardaí have not yet found anything at the new dig site.
  • Gardaí have obtained a drone no-fly zone over the site.
Other details
  • Deirdre Jacob is one of at least six women who vanished in the east of the country in the 1990s.
  • Work at the dig will resume on Tuesday morning; the record dates the report 1 June 2026, but the article shows 15 June 2026.
  • Gardaí appeal to anyone with information to contact Kildare Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí are investigating the murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe dig is focused on an area of ground near the Wicklow and Kildare border. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenDeirdre Jacob was last seen on 28 July 1998 near her home in Newbridge. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenJo Jo Dullard disappeared in 1995 from Moone, County Kildare. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe operation involves Irish Defence Forces personnel. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí upgraded the disappearances to murder investigations in 2018. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationAnother dig took place in February. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationInvestigators from the Serious Crime Review Team in the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation have been working through witness statements. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationNew witnesses have come forward since the renewed focus on the case. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationCredible information led gardaí to Usk Little on the Wicklow and Kildare border. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have not yet found anything at the new dig site. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí travelled to London a number of years ago to interview a chief suspect, but this failed to generate any sufficient leads. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have obtained a drone no-fly zone over the site. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherDeirdre Jacob is one of at least six women who vanished in the east of the country in the 1990s. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherJo Jo Dullard's disappearance was also upgraded to murder earlier this year. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherWork at the dig will continue on Tuesday morning. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherGardaí appeal to anyone with information to contact Kildare Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    Reportedthejournal.ie, first report
    Gardaí to resume dig tomorrow as part of probe into murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob

    Reports a further search dig at a Wicklow/Kildare border site in the cold case investigation into two women's disappearances, now treated as murders, including the drone no-fly zone and the appeal for information.

    victim, Jo Jo Dullard, female, irish (judged from name)Jo Jo Dullardvictim, Deirdre Jacob, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Jacobsuspect