LAST UPDATE | 7 Feb

GARDAÍ HAVE RE-CLASSIFIED the disappearance of Elizabeth Clarke, who has not been seen since November 2013, from a missing person to a murder investigation.

Elizabeth, a mother of two who lived in Navan, Co Meath, was officially reported missing by her family in January 2015.

She had previously lived in both Portrane and Bettystown, Co Meath with her family. 

Elizabeth was 24 at the time of her disappearance.

Investigating Gardaí today commenced a search at a house in Navan, Co. Meath.

This search is being led by gardaí from the Meath Serious Crime Hub based at Navan Garda station, supported by the Meath Divisional Search team and Garda National Technical Bureau.

The Search operation also has the support of other state expertise, including a Forensic Archaeologist if required.

Investigation

The disappearance of Elizabeth has been the subject of a sustained Garda investigation, by the investigation team based at Navan Garda Station.

Gardaí carried out extensive previous enquiries, including house to house enquiries, land searches, canal and river searches assisted by the Garda Water Unit and Meath River Rescue.

There have been no sightings of Elizabeth in over ten years.

As a result of these extensive enquiries, gardaí have re-classified the investigation from a missing person investigation to a murder investigation.

A spokesperson said gardaí have been and continue to keep Elizabeth’s family fully updated in relation to this investigation and they have been informed of today’s developments.

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone with information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Elizabeth Clarke to come forward to the investigation team. 

“Do not assume that An Garda Síochána either knows that information and/or that it has limited value,” said a spokesperson.

“Let the investigation team make that assessment.”

Given the time frame of this investigation, gardaí are asking the public that if they have any information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Elizabeth, and for some reason held back on information they may have had, to come forward.

The spokesperson added that anyone who comes forward “will be treated sensitively”.

The investigation team can be contacted at Navan Garda Station at 046 9036100, through a local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential telephone line 1800 666 111.