Ireland Crime

First arrest in the case; search operation at Grangecon, Co Wicklow; two residences searched; arrested man confirmed not to be Larry Murphy, a previous person of interest under Operation Trance.

Reports that the 55-year-old suspect was released without charge, that the search and excavation operation at Grangecon, Co Wicklow, has entered its fourth day, that no human remains had been found by the end of the third day, and that the arrest was described as strategic to put pressure on the suspect two days after the 29th anniversary of the disappearance.

Reports the suspect was released without charge on Tuesday 12 November 2024, includes commentary from former Garda detective inspector Pat Marry on the implications for the investigation, and notes Garda Headquarters did not reference preparing a file for the DPP.

The suspect was released without charge; his detention was described as strategic to put evidence to him. Searches near Grangecon, Co Wicklow, continue with diggers. His interview responses will be cross-checked against previous statements. The case was upgraded from missing person to murder in 2020.

Confirms the man in his 50s was released without charge on Tuesday 12 November 2024 after being detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. States the arrest was the first in the case, which was upgraded to murder four years ago. A search operation on open ground in Co Wicklow near the Kildare border is continuing.

Reports the man's release without charge and details of the ongoing search operation, including excavation, forensic examinations, and the involvement of a Forensic Archaeologist.

The man in his 50s arrested on 11 November 2024 was released without charge. He was the first person detained in the case, had no criminal record, and was a member of a well-known family in the Kildare-Wicklow region. The search operation at Ballyhook, Grangecon, Co Wicklow, is ongoing with a no-fly zone imposed by the Irish Aviation Authority.

Provides additional detail on the suspect (55-year-old from a well-known family, no criminal convictions, never a person of interest in other cases), the circumstances of Dullard's disappearance (hitchhiking from Dublin to Callan, last call at 11:37pm from Moone), the 2020 case upgrade, and the broader Operation Trace context involving five other missing women.

Confirms the arrest and search details, identifies Superintendent Paul Burke as spokesperson speaking from Naas Garda Station, notes the man is detained at a Garda station in Co Kildare under Section 4, and that a Temporary Restricted Air Space was put in place over the search area.

Provides detailed account of Jo Jo Dullard's final evening: socialising at Bruxelles Bar, Harry Street, Dublin 2; missing her last bus to Kilkenny; boarding a bus to Naas at 10pm; hitchhiking to Kilcullen and then Moone; and her last known phone call to friend Mary Cullinan at 11.37pm in Moone, in which she said a car had stopped and she was taking the lift. Confirms the arrest is the first in the case after almost 30 years.

Provides details of the arrest operation, the searches at Ballyhook, Grangecon, Co Wicklow, the no-fly zone imposed by the Irish Aviation Authority, the involvement of a forensic archaeologist, and background on Dullard's final movements on the night she disappeared.