A man and woman have been detained by Gardai this Thursday evening on suspicion of murder in relation to the investigation into the whereabouts of 56-year-old William Delaney, who has been missing from Portlaoise since January.
It is understood the male is aged in his 30s while the female is a teenager.
The man is being held in Portlaoise Garda Station while the woman has been taken to Tullamore Garda Station for questioning.
Gardai have been searching for a body at the historic Rock of Dunamase in recent days since receiving a tip-off on Tuesday.
Roads around the Rock of Dunamase have been sealed off since Monday as Gardai and members of the Defence Forces have been searching the area.
William Delaney, a native of Tipperary but resident in Portlaoise in recent times, went missing on January 31 and the Gardai issued a missing persons report on March 12.
On Tuesday of this week, a woman walked into Portlaoise Garda station where she claimed he had been killed and buried in a shallow grave at the Rock of Dunamase.
According to the Irish Sun the woman made the statement after she was contacted by a man at a funeral who confessed what he had done to her.
William Delaney is described as 5’6″ of medium build, black/grey hair and blue eyes.
LaoisToday has made repeated attempts to contact the Office of Public Works, who manage the Rock, but has so far failed to receive a response.
Gardai confirmed they are investigating an incident while the Defence Forces say they are assisting Gardai in a missing persons case.
The search for Mr Delaney has been suspended tonight but is set to resume once again on Friday morning.
SEE ALSO – Gardai and army searching for missing man ‘killed’ and ‘buried’ at Rock of Dunamase
