Cops digging on Kildare/Wicklow border site

AdrianG08 · 11-10-2021 10:17am #1

All over the news this morning that cops are carrying out an extensive search of a site at the above location, in conjunction with the Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob investigation.

These tasks must be so tough for the families, hope on one hand but complete despair also that nothing has ever been found of their loved ones, nor has anyone been brought to justice following upgrading of both of these investigations to murder inquiries.

Latest in both of these cases I believe (and correct me if i'm wrong), detectives have sent a file to the DPP (last Feb) recommending that a certain LM be charged for the murder of Deirdre Jacob, on the back of a detailed confession he gave to a cell mate when he was drunk. Not the most reliable pieces of info but they are obviously certain they have their man but are now trying to piece if all together.

LM has long been a suspect in 3 cases, Jo Jo Dullard, Annie McCarrick and Deirdre Jacob. Bloody awful stuff altogether. Amateur sleuth I am not, let due process take its course etc.. but always thought behaviour he showed in the crime for which he was caught, showed profile of a guy who had done it all before. The fact he was at Deirdre Jacobs family shop and happened to be in Newbridge that day also she want missing would have been a huge coincidence. Hopefully that families get the answers they need.

11-10-2021 10:20am

That’s a long time for a file to be with the DPP, is it not?

AdrianG08 · 11-10-2021 10:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118003736#Comment_118003736

Seems to be yes, but looks like its still an open request, DPP hasn't ruled on it yet as far as I am aware.

https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/irish-crime/decision-to-prosecute-rapist-larry-murphy-over-deirdre-jacob-disappearance-may-come-in-weeks-40731278.html

seamus · 11-10-2021 10:34am

Finding anything at all in that location would massively tie in the main suspect as it's within range of his known stomping grounds. It would be a huge step forward in any of these cases. Here's hoping.

Will_I_Amnt · 11-10-2021 12:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118003736#Comment_118003736

The lack of an answer is an answer in itself. They have very little on him!

11-10-2021 12:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118004267#Comment_118004267

Adrian posted a link in response. They’re seeking further expertise from another legal expert.

SEPT 23 1989 · 11-10-2021 3:50pm

why didn't the guards investigate the "suspicious activity" in the area at the time its not new information they have now

nj27 · 11-10-2021 3:51pm

Imagine if they found evidence connecting Larry Murphy to these cases!

Be right back · 11-10-2021 4:46pm

I really hope that they are found during this search. What an ordeal for the families.

TheValeyard · 11-10-2021 4:47pm

This is the vanishing triangle right?

They must have gotten some new Intel at some stage.

It takes a great deal of commitment and resources to start an operation like this.

Hope they find something and as grim as it sounds I hope they find bodies to give some closure to those families. Be great to find some DNA linking to the perpetrator.

Suckit · 11-10-2021 5:16pm

I saw it on the news yesterday that they were going to start a massive search around an area in relation to many missing people over the years. I wonder have they been watching for a while for anybody to make a mistake, and now are ready to move.

dudley72 · 11-10-2021 5:20pm

Now maybe I watch too many US TV programs but can they not use equipment over ground to search and see if bones are underneath?

Fr Tod Umptious · 11-10-2021 5:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118005445#Comment_118005445

Because on its own at the time that information was probably not worthy of a major dig.

Only now, after a review of all information that it's deemed to be a place to carry out an extensive search.

BackOfMyBag · 11-10-2021 5:50pm

am I missing something ? did I hear on the news earlier that new reports of suspicious activity was reported at the time ?

so someone waited all these years from 98 til now to make the report to the guards ?

SEPT 23 1989 · 11-10-2021 5:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118006013#Comment_118006013

it was reported to the guards in 1998

Dempo1 · 11-10-2021 5:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118005445#Comment_118005445

I was thinking the same thing, unless I've heard incorrectly, the Gardai had this information for nearly 20 years, I'm open to correction but if true, it surely should be raising some serious questions.

BackOfMyBag · 11-10-2021 6:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118006061#Comment_118006061

so a report was made in 98 , and even though there was a couple of females that went missing from that general area at the time , no one in the gards thought it worthy of checking until now ?

I can speak from experience here , excavation work for people is easier the shorter the time elapsed since they are reported missing , something not adding up here

Fr Tod Umptious · 11-10-2021 8:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118006092#Comment_118006092

I'm sure the report was "checked" as you say, but there is a big difference between "checking" a report of suspicious activity and deciding that a area has to be dug up as part of a search.

As I said earlier the totality of the information about this area in '98 probably did not warrant a full dig, but now combined with other info it is.

monkeybutter · 11-10-2021 9:06pm

The fact that Marry Murphy got such a lenient sentence is yet another failure of Irish judges to do their job.

Why would you treat attempted murder any differently to murder, plus rape, disgrace

Cluedo Monopoly · 11-10-2021 9:17pm

I hope they find those poor women and nail the killers. The torment for the families must be horrendous. The latest development based on 20 year old information doesn't inspire confidence.

BackOfMyBag · 11-10-2021 9:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118006727#Comment_118006727

well like I said , I have experience with excavation , and it is easier to locate a missing person buried under ground the sooner you can , rather than 20 odd years later , thankfully even for irelands small size the likes of those abductions are incredibly rare , but I cant get my head around what would have possibly stopped the gards searching in the immediate aftermath of those poor girls going missing , even back in the late 90s aerial photography to survey the area for signs of disturbed earth would have been fairly cheap fast and effective ,

dont want to be repeating myself but ill say it anyway , something doesn t add up here , im not saying the gards messed up , by the way , but it is definitely a odd one

Seth Brundle · 12-10-2021 8:16am

I'd love to know if this had been properly followed up on at the time...

https://twitter.com/Healyhack/status/1447829631445389313

magicbastarder · 12-10-2021 8:23am

can't see the body of the article there - was it reported at the time?

celt262 · 12-10-2021 8:26am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118007737#Comment_118007737

You would hope not !

Seth Brundle · 12-10-2021 8:26am

Not sure but this is a reply to the above tweet...

https://twitter.com/Healyhack/status/1447830030554484739

magicbastarder · 12-10-2021 8:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118007750#Comment_118007750

or else, you'd hope so! either way, not good.

AdrianG08 · 12-10-2021 8:47am

It could be absolutely nothing either, how many false dawns do families in this situation have to endure.

Too much of a coincidence for it not to have been LM in my opinion. Gardai are satisfied he was in the town on the day and he paid a visit to her family shop also.

saabsaab · 12-10-2021 8:55am

While it does seem odd then again how many hundreds or more calls do they get after such a crime. Many are false leads etc. and it is hard to sort out those that are useful.

12-10-2021 9:02am

From the newspaper

el Fenomeno · 12-10-2021 9:18am

How do these types on excavations work in practice?

Is it man power or with a digger? If it's the latter, how do they ensure the bucket of the digger doesn't crash through what are already delicate human remains or potentially destroy evidence?

I have no idea what I'm talking about so ignore the questionable terminology.

Seth Brundle · 12-10-2021 9:25am

I assume there is an initial visual scan - look for an area that looks to have been previously dug up. Then there would possibly be tech checks for soil disturbance.

In terms of digging, I think initial clearance might be by small digger with most being done by foot & spade. However, a competent digger operator should be able to work with reasonable precision.

Curious_Case · 12-10-2021 9:36am

Here's a lttle tip for the force in future --

Send in 1 or 2 guards shortly after the report is received, there may be tyre tracks, drag marks, broken branches, earth disturbance, animal activity or smells; all of which will be long gone years later. I know, I'm very clever.

Day Lewin · 12-10-2021 9:38am

According to what the Gardai have said, cadaver dogs are being used: and probably metal detectors too.

One thing that might complicate the search is that these types of sites have often been used for fly-tipping, illegal dumping of litter.

A previous search might have only found some black bags of rubbish!

-- and that is still a possible outcome.

Ash.J.Williams · 12-10-2021 9:54am

i know those roads quite well, its on larrys way home from where jojo was last seen and newbridge

Day Lewin · 12-10-2021 10:08am

Does anyone know where EXACTLY they are searching?

They mentioned "dense woodland" and on the Kildare/Wicklow border.

I had a look at Google maps and can't see much dense woodland round there. Has anyone got a closer or more exact location for this dig?

Sat. Coordinates?

Seth Brundle · 12-10-2021 10:13am

It was reported as being in Usk Little in Kildare (west of Dunlavin) but Google maps doesn't show much in that townland

miamee · 12-10-2021 10:13am

The area mentioned was Usk Little I think

Ash.J.Williams · 12-10-2021 10:17am

It's just off road from kilcullen to ballitore , the old carlow road. Im not 100% sure of the status of the M9 in 98 but either way it's on the way from moone or newbridge to Baltinglass with maybe a slight detour of a few miles

12-10-2021 10:29am

Usk Little is located at 53° 3' 57" N, 6° 45' 47" W

The townland crosses both sides of the motorway.

Ash.J.Williams · 12-10-2021 10:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118008371#Comment_118008371

there was no motorway for jojo but i'm not 100% about deirdre, may have been completed around 95

Day Lewin · 12-10-2021 11:06am

Thank you both - tried that.

No actual woodland on that exact spot; the nearest would appear to be this...

53.05476590058506, -6.792523618673017

Quite a large area of quite thick woods...very near...apparently called Lipstown. Or maybe Narraghmore?

But halfway between Newbridge and Baltinglass. (Deirdre Jacob?)

And VERY near Moone - where JoJo Dollard was last seen.

Ash.J.Williams · 12-10-2021 11:13am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118008546#Comment_118008546

by car it's ridiculously near moone

Suckit · 12-10-2021 11:17am

This area? https://goo.gl/maps/rXeDnhXNGkt7aSd9A

I was trying to figure it out last night

12-10-2021 11:23am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118008546#Comment_118008546

From The Times yesterday …

The search operation will cover an isolated wooded area in the east of the county, near the Co Wicklow border and about 15km from Newbridge in an area known as Taggartstown. The area was searched previously.

Drones are being used to map 1.2 hectare (three acre) area to be searched. Insp Fitzgerald said the search of the woodland would take approximately three weeks and involve 10-15 gardaí each day.

I couldn’t find Taggartstown on a search of townlands

Suckit · 12-10-2021 11:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118008630#Comment_118008630

I couldn’t find Taggartstown on a search of townlands

Other papers named the area as Brewel East. That's where I looked after also being unable to find Taggartstown.

https://goo.gl/maps/LyUCpZxkhTRc65um6

Seth Brundle · 12-10-2021 11:44am

I couldn’t find Taggartstown on a search of townlands

I don't see it listed on townlands.ie nor do I see it on the OSI mapviewer. However, there is a townland a short distance south of Usk Little called Ballintaggart. There are a few small wooded areas there.

Day Lewin · 12-10-2021 11:54am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118008604#Comment_118008604

I think it must be. It's the only forest anywhere near there that you would possibly consider hiding a body in!

Also, there seem to be remote and narrow roads passing through it. With gates leading into the wood. Just right for hiding evidence of crimes.

Though it seems, from the news reports, that someome WAS seen dragging something from the boot of a car - but of course, it may turn out to be only illegal dumping.

blackwhite · 12-10-2021 2:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118008411#Comment_118008411

Kilcullen to Carlow only opened in 2008.

The section that opened in 1994 only went from the M7 interchange to the current J2 just outside Kilcullen.

Wouldn't have been any road or motorway works near this site for a good few years after the disappearances

Ash.J.Williams · 14-10-2021 11:06am

murphys modus operandi really was too well organized to be a first timer.

Chose victim

stalked victim

waited until she went to the boot of her car

blunt force punch to the nose and bundled into her car

drove to his car which was some distance away

15-10-2021 8:15am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118008201#Comment_118008201

For their families, You’d hope given his previous history, that if it’s now a given that either of these women are to be found in only tragic circumstances, that this would be the place.

All that’s required is one piece of identifiable personal item- a ring, a necklace -

Claw Hammer · 15-10-2021 2:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118018717#Comment_118018717

There is a first time for everything. People are very quick to blame Larry. He has been done his time and been hounded out of the country. What more do people want?

Cops digging on Kildare/Wicklow border site

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