LAST UPDATE | 30 Mar

THREE PEOPLE HAVE who were arrested earlier today in connection with the murder of William Delaney, who went missing in Co Laois in January 2019, have been released without charge.

William (56) was a Tipperary native who lived in Portlaoise.

Gardaí today arrested two women, who are aged in their 20s and 30s, as well as a man aged in his 30s, but all three were released without charge tonight.

A spokesperson said gardaí continue to appeal to the public for help, as they believe that people in the community have information and have not yet come forward and that investigations are ongoing.

Portlaoise General Hospital

On the morning of 30 January, 2019, William Delaney left Portlaoise General Hospital where he had been a patient.

Gardaí have established that William collected his welfare payment at Portlaoise Post Office after leaving the hospital.

He was last seen at around 3pm on the afternoon of Wednesday 30 January, 2019 in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare where he called to visit a relative who lived in the area.

The relation wasn’t at home but William was seen outside the premises, which is situated on the old Cork-Dublin Road, directly opposite a local landmark known as the Hazel Hotel.

William was then reported missing by his family on Wednesday 6 March, 2019.

In June 2019, gardaí received information that William had been killed and that his body had been buried at a location in Laois.

A comprehensive search was conducted in the area surrounding the Rock of Dunamaise but no remains were discovered.

In November 2025, three people were arrested in connection with the case but they were subsequently released without charge.

Anyone with any information are asked to contact Gardaí at Portlaoise on 057-8674100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.