Why did it take 10 years for Elizabeth Clarke’s disappearance to be upgraded to murder?

The mother of two was last seen alive in 2013

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Elizabeth Clarke (24) was reported missing more than a decade ago but the last confirmed sighting of her was in 2013
Elizabeth Clarke (24) was reported missing more than a decade ago but the last confirmed sighting of her was in 2013

The Garda investigation into the disappearance of Elizabeth Clarke, a mother of two from Co Meath, has been upgraded to a murder inquiry.

Gardaí believe the vulnerable young woman, missing for more than a decade, was killed by someone known to her after a prolonged period of mistreatment.

Detectives are following a definite line of inquiry regarding who killed the 24-year-old.

An extensive search was carried out at a property in Navan in recent weeks, as it was believed her remains may have been there. The search concluded without the discovery of her body.

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She was officially reported missing in January 2015, though there have been no confirmed sightings of her since November 2013. She had previously lived in Portrane, Co Dublin, and Bettystown, Co Meath, as well as at another address in Co Meath.

Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Lally explains why her disappearance never gained the sort of media attention given to other cases of missing Irish women, and where the investigation is at now.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast