TWO WOMEN AND a man have been arrested as part of the investigation into the suspected murder of William Delaney, who went missing in Co Laois in 2019.

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

On the morning of 30 January, 2019, he 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 approximately 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.

Gardaí in Portlaoise investigating William’s murder today arrested three people in connection with the investigation.

The women, aged in their 30s and 50s, and the man, aged in his 30s, are currently detained at Garda Stations in the Midland and South Western regions.

A garda spokesperson said investigations are ongoing.