The family of missing Kilkenny woman Jo Jo Dullard who was presumed murdered has said that they ‘had hoped’ they would have her ‘home for Christmas’.
‘Unfortunately that did not happen,’ they said in a post on the official Jo Jo Dullard Missing person Facebook page.
The 21-year-old was last seen 29 years ago at approximately 11.37pm on November 9, 1995 in the village of Moone, Co Kildare while attempting to make her way home to Callan, Co Kilkenny.
She had missed the last direct bus back to Kilkenny and had been hitching lifts from Naas, Co Kildare where she managed to get a bus to.
The young woman was using a public phone in Moone when she told a friend, Mary Cullinane, that a car had stopped and she was going to get a lift. That was the last known sighting of her.
She was the youngest of five siblings. Her father John died before she was born and her mother Nora died in 1983 from cancer. Jo Jo’s sister Mary Phelan died in 2018 not knowing what happened to her.
Last month an extensive search, which lasted for three-and-a-half-weeks, took place near Grangecon in Co Wicklow. The garda excavation of land was launched in an effort to locate her body or any evidence to show she may have been there.
A man in his 50s was the first person arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ms Dullard but was released without charge.
The extended Dullard family added in their statement that ‘for people who have information, please spare a thought for Jo Jo this Christmas.’
They starkly reminded the public that while those who are ‘enjoying time with your family, ours is still not complete.
‘Jo Jo is still alone out there, waiting to be found and brought home to her family. It is never too late to come forward.’
The family highlighted that the garda investigation is still ongoing and that they ‘would like to thank An Garda Siochána for their continued hard work and dedication to bring Jo Jo home.
‘Our family would like to thank everyone for your prayers and continued support throughout the years. We would like to wish you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas. We look to 2025 with hope,’ they concluded.
In October 2020, gardaí upgraded the investigation into her disappearance to a murder probe.
A subsequent three-week long large scale search four years ago of Usk Little on the Kildare/Wicklow – a woodland area was investigated by gardai after fresh information came to light.
Gardaí have said they are ‘resolute in their determination to find answers for her family’.
On the 29th anniversary of Ms Dullard’s disappearance last month her family, led by her sister Kathleen Bergin held a memorial ceremony at the statue dedicated to missing people in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Naas Garda Station 045 884 300, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
