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Further suspect identified in Saoirse Smyth investigation

Saoirse Smyth who police believe may have been murdered.
Saoirse Smyth who police believe may have been murdered. Saoirse Smyth who police believe may have been murdered.

DETECTIVES have made a fresh appeal for information in relation to missing woman Saoirse Smyth, with a further suspect now identified in relation to her disappearance.

Police believe the 28-year-old, who was last seen in Belfast in April 2017, may have been murdered.

Earlier this year a 40-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman were arrested in Newry, Co Down, in connection with her death.

Both have been released on police bail however a third suspect has now been identified in the case.

The man is currently serving a sentence in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin and has not yet been formally interviewed about the murder.

Originally from west Belfast, Miss Smyth had been living in Omeath, Co Louth, at the time of her disappearance.

Detectives carried out enquiries in Newry yesterday, where the missing woman was known to socialise, placing posters in retail areas in a bid to reach anyone who may have any information about the suspected murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Geoffrey Boyce said yesterday the 28-year-old’s family have been left "devastated by her disappearance" in April.

"Saoirse had very distinctive red hair and was seen in Belfast on the day she disappeared. I believe that later that day, she then returned to Omeath where she was living at the time.

"To this day Saoirse has not had any contact with her friends or family since the day she disappeared, including on birthdays and Christmas.

"This is very unusual for Saoirse and while we are keeping an open mind, we believe that she may have been murdered.

"We believe that someone in the local area may have information about Saoirse’s disappearance. Saoirse often commuted from Belfast to Omeath through Newry and used a number of local taxi companies.

"We will not give up investigating what happened to Saoirse and we are working closely with our colleagues in An Garda Siochana.

"I am appealing for anyone who has any information about Saoirse’s disappearance to come forward. Saoirse was a daughter, sister and granddaughter and her family deserve to know what has happened to her."

Anyone with information that may help with the investigation has been should contact detectives at the incident room Ladas Drive on 101 or 0044 28 9070 0355 if calling from the Republic.