Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Aoife Phelan Family handout

Man arrested in connection with murder of missing Aoife Phelan

Aoife Phelan, who was four months pregnant, was last seen on 25 October in Portlaoise.

GARDAÍ IN PORTLAOISE have arrested a man in his mid 20′s this afternoon in relation to the murder of missing woman Aoife Phelan.

The man is currently detained in Portlaoise Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Aoife Phelan was last seen on 25 October at Colliers View in Portlaoise at around 8.10pm.

Yesterday, around 300 people took part in the latest search for Aoife in Ballyroan. The search party was organised by the local community and included some of Aoife’s brothers, close relatives and friends.

A quarry, the Ridge Road, boglands, drains, disused farm yards and forestry was also searched in what was described as an extensive effort by local volunteers.

Aoife was last seen on October 25 when she left a friend’s house at Colliers View in Portlaoise at around 8.10pm. The 30-year-old nanny, who is from Cashel, Ballyroan, Portlaoise is four months pregnant.

Aoife met a friend at the Borris Road Roundabout in Portlaoise at about 6.30pm on 25 October and was last seen at 8.10pm when she left a friends house at Colliers View, Portlaoise.  She was employed as a live in au pair at The Hermitage, Portlaoise and was in work until 6.15pm on that evening.

Read: Hundreds search for missing pregnant woman Aoife Phelan>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
41 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie
    Favourite Jamie
    Report
    Oct 27th 2017, 7:25 AM

    Fantastic article about the regulatory shortfalls of the legislation. More needs to be done in this jurisdiction to assist and protect the rights of prospective parents in this process

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinead Mooney
    Favourite Sinead Mooney
    Report
    Oct 27th 2017, 8:04 AM

    I have to say (and I am most certainly NOT religious) that when people go through yeara of trying and rounds of IVF etc… there has to be a point where they accept that, sadly, they are unable to have children. Egg donation and surrogacy etc is a step too far in my opinion.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anonymous Education
    Favourite Anonymous Education
    Report
    Oct 27th 2017, 8:40 AM

    @Sinead Mooney: aren’t you lucky to be so accepting of your fate and that of others? Egg donation and surrogacy etc is only the business of those involved in my opinion

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinead Mooney
    Favourite Sinead Mooney
    Report
    Oct 27th 2017, 9:33 AM

    @Anonymous Education: No, each to their own absolutely but just saying I personally cannot understand it. If people want to go down that road and have the strength to do it, fair play to them – I couldn’t. But they have to live with the legal repercussions i.e. this is messy!

    12
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shem Romanowski
    Favourite Shem Romanowski
    Report
    Oct 27th 2017, 10:52 AM

    @Sinead Mooney: You’re so patronising.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rathminder
    Favourite Rathminder
    Report
    Oct 27th 2017, 7:40 AM

    One may be inclines to believe that “Irish policy makers are in fact trying to discourage domestic surrogacy”. In this very Catholic country, I can see at least one reason why it may be discouraged. Having seen a good friend go through the trauma of childlessness, I began to see surrogacy as a viable option. Unfortunately, costs will be prohibitive for many couples. You might think they should simply adopt, but it is not easy and fraught with potential problems.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karen Doyle
    Favourite Karen Doyle
    Report
    Oct 27th 2017, 2:30 PM

    I don’t think these are too onerous personally. Its about protecting the surrogate from abuse.

    8
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds