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. 11348Murder · Co. Laois · 25 Oct 2025

Timeline of the murder of Laois au pair Aoife Phelan

Aoife Phelan, a 30-year-old woman from Ballyroan, Portlaoise, who worked as an au pair, went missing on 25 October 2025 after leaving her friend's house at Colliers View, Portlaoise. Gardaí upgraded the case to a murder investigation on 4 November, and her body was found buried in a hole at a property on the Timahoe Road, Portlaoise, on 7 November. Her funeral was held at St Patrick's Cemetery, Ballyroan, on 10 November. Gardaí arrested a 24-year-old local man, Robert Corbet, who was charged with her murder, and Judge Catherine Staines remanded him in custody to Clover Hill prison until 15 November, the latest development in the sources.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court26 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Aoife Phelan, a 30-year-old woman who worked as an au pair, is the victim in the case.
  • Robert Corbet, a 24-year-old man from Portlaoise, is the suspect.
When
  • Aoife Phelan went missing on 25 October 2025, after leaving her employer at about 6.15pm.
  • The article's standfirst says Aoife was killed in 2012 by Robert Corbet, while its timeline gives 25 October 2025 as the date she went missing.
Where
  • Aoife was last seen alive leaving her friend's house at Colliers View, Portlaoise.
  • Her body was found buried in a hole at a property on the Timahoe Road, Portlaoise, on 7 November.
Investigation
  • Gardaí upgraded the case from a missing persons case to a murder investigation on 4 November.
  • Gardaí arrested a 24-year-old local man in relation to the murder.
Charges
Robert Corbet was charged with the murder of Aoife Phelan, with the charge placing the offence at Capoley, Portlaoise, on 25 October.
In court
Judge Catherine Staines remanded Robert Corbet in custody to Clover Hill prison until 15 November.
Other details
  • The post mortem found that Aoife was not pregnant and had suffered injuries to her neck and head.
  • Aoife Phelan was buried at St Patrick's Cemetery, Ballyroan, after a funeral mass on 10 November.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereHer body was found buried in a hole at a property on the Timahoe Road, Portlaoise, on 7 November. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereAoife was last seen alive leaving her friend's house at Colliers View, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenAoife Phelan went missing on 25 October 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí upgraded the case from a missing persons case to a murder investigation on 4 November. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested a 24-year-old local man in relation to the murder. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeRobert Corbet was charged with the murder of Aoife Phelan at Capoley, Portlaoise, on 25 October. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Catherine Staines remanded Corbet in custody to Clover Hill prison until 15 November. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe post mortem found that Aoife was not pregnant and had suffered injuries to her neck and head. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Jan2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Timeline of the murder of Laois au pair Aoife Phelan

    Day-by-day timeline from Aoife Phelan's disappearance through the murder investigation, arrest, charge and remand to her funeral. No existing case matches this murder.

    victim, Aoife Phelan, 30, female, irish (judged from name)Aoife Phelanaccused, Robert Corbet, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Robert Corbet