Convicted rapist Larry Murphy will not be charged with the 1998 disappearance and murder of teenage Deirdre Jacob, it appears today.
The file on the case, with new evidence, was sent to the director of the Public Prosecution Service (DPP) in 2021.
However, after examining the evidence, it was determined that no charges would be brought against the ‘Beast of Baltinglass’, a suspect in the crime.
Deirdre Jacob (18) was last seen on Tuesday 28 July 1998 yards from the front door of her home in Newbridge, Co Kildare.
In 2018, her disappearance was upgraded to murder with Gardaí saying they had received vital new “credible and confirmed” information leading to Larry Murphy becoming the prime suspect in the murder of the 18-year-old.
Two years later, in February 2020, Gardaí prepared all their evidence in the case and sent a file linking Murphy to the murder of Deirdre Jacob to the director of the prosecution.
Last year, the DPP sent their file to a specialist attorney for a “second opinion” on the case.
In a statement this morning, gardai told Independent.ie: “The investigation into the murder of Deirdre Jacob remains active.
“As part of this investigation, a file was forwarded to the DPP and recently returned with an instruction ‘no prosecution’.”
“Mrs Jacob’s family has been notified and is in constant contact.”
Murphy was linked to the murder after an alleged prison confession in which he drunkenly told his cellmate that he “killed Deirdre Jacob with a hammer”.
Murphy, of Baltinglass, County Wicklow, was convicted in 2001 of kidnapping, repeatedly raping and murdering a young woman in the Wicklow Mountains in February 2000.
He was convicted after pleading guilty to criminal charges and was released from prison in 2010.
Deirdre Jacob’s case remains open and active and Gardai has called for any witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information can contact the investigation team at Kildare Garda Station on 045 521222 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.