House near Border searched as missing woman believed to have been murdered
GARDAÍ have sealed off a house and land near the Border in a joint investigation into the disappearance of a woman who is now believed to have been murdered.
Belfast woman Saoirse Smyth (28) was last seen alive in Omeath, Co Louth, in April last year.
A missing person appeal for information about her whereabouts was issued by the PSNI last December.
But PSNI chief inspector Geoff Boyce said yesterday: “The investigation into Saoirse’s disappearance has progressed and, while keeping an open mind, I now believe that the potential exists for Saoirse to have, sadly, been murdered”.
Ms Smyth and a female friend rented a house in Omeath early last year and she was seen in the Belfast area in April 2017.
Her last movements were traced to Omeath later that month.
As a result of inquiries, the PSNI arrested a 40-year-old man, who is from Northern Ireland, in the Newry area on Wednesday evening on suspicion of Ms Smyth’s murder.
He is still in custody and is being questioned by detectives at Musgrave serious crime suite in Belfast. Gardaí sealed off the rented house and adjoining land yesterday morning and began a detailed search.
The search is expected to be intensified today and may continue over the weekend.
Police have traced the woman who had been sharing the house with Ms Smyth.
Chief Insp Boyce said Ms Smyth had very distinctive red hair and had not been in contact with her family or friends since April last year, including on significant dates such as her birthday and Christmas, and that was “very unusual”.
“Saoirse also hasn’t responded to any of her family’s pleas on social media,” he added. “This, along with other information obtained during the police investigation, now leads me to believe that Saoirse may have been murdered.”
He appealed for information about the circumstances leading to her disappearance and said her family deserved to know what had happened to her.
Devastated
Chief Insp Boyce said the family had been left devastated and trained police family liaison officers were supporting them at this very difficult time.
The family asked the police to issue a statement on their behalf. “Somebody out there must know something about what has happened to Saoirse and we would plead with anyone, who knows anything, to contact the police,” the statement said.
“And Saoirse, if you are out there, please contact your family and let us know that you are OK.”
Police are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who has seen Ms Smyth or who has had contact with her since January 2017.