Heartbroken aunt relieved missing Lizzie Clarke case upgraded to murder investigation
The heartbroken aunt of Elizabeth (Lizzie) Clarke, whose disappearance is being treated as murder by the Gardai, says her family are relieved the investigation has been upgraded to a murder enquiry.
"It is about time. We are delighted they have upgraded it to a murder investigation. The whole family is in bits," said Geraldine Olliffe.
Geraldine was supporting Lizzie's grandmother who reared her, following news of the Garda announcement. "She is heartbroken, we all are. We have to wait now and see what happens, The Gardai are appealing for information and I would urge anyone who has any information to contact the Gardai," she said.
Gardaí at Navan Garda Station continue to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Elizabeth Clarke who has not been seen since 2013.
Elizabeth, a mother of two, lived in Navan, Co. Meath. She had previously lived in both Portrane and Bettystown, Co. Meath with her family. Elizabeth was aged 24 years old at the time of her disappearance.
Elizabeth was officially reported missing by her family in January 2015. The disappearance of Elizabeth Clarke has been the subject of a sustained Garda investigation, by the investigation team based at Navan Garda Station.
The investigation is being led and coordinated by a Senior Investigating Officer.
Gardaí have carried out extensive previous enquiries, including house to house enquiries, land searches, canal and river searches assisted by the Garda Water Unit and Meath River Rescue.
There have been no sightings of Elizabeth in over ten years. As a result of these extensive enquires, An Garda Síochána have re-classified the investigation from a missing person investigation to a murder investigation.
Investigating Gardaí are today commencing a search at a house in Navan, Co. Meath.
The search is being led by Gardaí from the Meath Serious Crime Hub based at Navan Garda station supported by the Meath Divisional Search team and Garda National Technical Bureau.
The Search operation has the support of other state expertise, including a Forensic Archaeologist if required.
An Garda Síochána have been and continue to keep the family of Elizabeth Clarke fully updated in relation to this investigation and they have been fully appraised of all of today's developments.
A Garda spokesperson said: "Do not assume that An Garda Síochána either know that information and/or that it has limited value. Let the investigation team make that assessment.
"Given the time frame of this investigation, Gardaí are asking the public that if they have any information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Elizabeth and for some reason held back on information they may have had, to come forward now. An Garda Síochána wish to reassure them that they will be treated sensitively.
"Investigating Gardaí continue to appeal to any person or persons with information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Elizabeth Clarke to please come forward to the investigation team."
The investigation team can be contacted at Navan Garda Station at 046 9036100, through your local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential telephone line 1800 666 111.