Police recommence searches in 29-year-old Josephine Dullard murder inquiry

Law enforcement officials involved in the murder inquiry of Josephine “Jo Jo” Dullard have recommenced search operations near the boundary of Counties Wicklow and Kildare. Ms. Dullard, who was 21 at the time, vanished from Moone in County Kildare in November 1995. The searches scheduled for Tuesday are concentrated on properties in Ballyhook, County Wicklow. A 55-year-old male, apprehended on Monday morning in connection with the suspected murder, has been released without any charges. The investigation was reclassified from a missing persons case to a murder inquiry in 2020. The apprehension on Monday marked the initial arrest made in relation to this case. Additionally, Gardaí (Irish police) conducted searches at two different locations on Monday morning. Kevin Sharkey of BBC News NI, reporting from County Wicklow, described the scene: “Rich farmland around this part of County Wicklow provides the backdrop to these searches. Getting here involves criss-crossing countless rural roads. Gardaí are positioned at a number of farmland entry points, and in the distance, diggers can be seen working along a big green field. The serenity of this still autumn day here along the Wicklow and Kildare border marks a striking contrast to the possibility that a young woman’s body may have been hidden or buried around here for almost thirty years.” On November 9, 1995, Ms. Dullard journeyed to Dublin, spending her evening at Bruxelles Bar on Harry Street. Later that night, she missed her final bus service back to Kilkenny. At 22:00 local time, she boarded a bus destined for Naas in County Kildare, with the intention of hitchhiking the remaining distance to Callan. Ms. Dullard secured a ride from Naas to the vicinity of the old N9 road, close to Kilcullen. Approximately at 23:15, she obtained a subsequent lift to Moone. Upon reaching Moone, at 23:37, Ms. Dullard placed a telephone call to her friend, Mary Cullinan. During their conversation, she informed Ms. Cullinan that a vehicle had pulled over to offer her a ride, which she intended to take. This interaction marked the final known communication she had with any individual. Her sister, Kathleen, reported her missing on Friday, November 10. For a period of 29 years, Ms. Dullard’s location has remained unknown, prompting an ongoing and persistent police investigation. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.