Ireland Gardaí search quarry on Kildare/Wicklow border in Deirdre Jacob investigation
Deirdre Jacob, a woman, vanished from the roadside near her family home outside Newbridge, County Kildare, on 28 July 1998. The missing persons case was upgraded to a murder investigation in 2018, and Larry Murphy, a convicted rapist, has been named as a key suspect in earlier information; no arrest or charge has been reported. In February 2026 gardaí were searching an old quarry between Dunlavin and Baltinglass on the Kildare/Wicklow border, where an excavator has been removing soil, and the search entered its third day on 18 February 2026. Gardaí said they cannot determine how long the operation will take.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Deirdre Jacob, a woman, is the missing person whose disappearance is being investigated as a suspected murder.
- When
- Deirdre Jacob vanished from the roadside near her family home outside Newbridge on 28 July 1998.
- Where
- Deirdre Jacob's family home is outside Newbridge, County Kildare.
- An excavator is removing soil at an old quarry between Dunlavin and Baltinglass on the Kildare/Wicklow border.
- Investigation
- The missing persons case was upgraded to a murder investigation in 2018.
- Earlier information claimed that Larry Murphy may have buried vehicles at the search site.
- Gardaí are acting on information that materials connected to a missing woman may be buried at a specified sand pit.
- The search is led by the Serious Crime Review Team of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and Kildare Division.
- A Garda spokesperson said the search is ongoing and entered its third day on 18 February 2026.
- Other details
- Larry Murphy, a convicted rapist, has been named as a key suspect in the murder of Ms Jacob, according to earlier information.
- Gardaí said they are unable to determine how long the operation will take.
- Charges
- No arrest or charge has been reported in the case.
8 statements extracted from the articles
- whereAn excavator is removing soil at an old quarry between Dunlavin and Baltinglass on the Kildare/Wicklow border. (kildarenow.com)
- whenDeirdre Jacob vanished from the roadside near her family home outside Newbridge on July 28th, 1998. (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)
- otherGardaí said they are unable to determine how long the operation will take. (kildarenow.com)
The reporting
newest first- 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