GARDAÍ WILL TODAY begin a search operation on open ground at a location in Co Wicklow as part of the investigation into the disappearance and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob.

The search will take place near the Wicklow/Kildare border and this area of land will be subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days.

Deirdre Jacob was last seen on 28 July 1998 near her home in Newbridge, Co Kildare. She is one of at least six women who vanished in the east of the country in the 1990s.

Jo Jo Dullard (21) disappeared in 1995 from Moone in Kildare and this case was upgraded to murder in 2021.

Her disappearance was just a ten-minute journey from where Deirdre Jacob was last seen.

An Garda Síochána said it continues to “keep an open mind into these investigations”.

A spokesperson added that gardaí will follow up any information that is brought to the investigation team based at the Serious Crime Review Team.

File image of Gardaí conducting previous search related to the Deirdre Jacob investigation, in 2021.

The search operation is being led by the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and local resources from Kildare Division as required.

The search operation also has the support of other state expertise, if required.

A temporary ban on drones has been put in place in the area for the next three weeks.

An Garda Síochána continues to keep the families of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob updated in relation to these investigations and they have been fully apprised of today’s developments.

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you might believe it to be, to contact any Garda station. Alternatively, anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.