Co Meath mother's disappearance upgraded to murder inquiry

An Garda Síochána said today, Friday, February 7, that 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 24 years old at the time of her disappearance.

Elizabeth was officially reported missing by her family in January 2015, Gardaí said on Friday. 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 said on Friday that they have carried out extensive previous enquiries, including house to house enquiries, land searches, and 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 said on Friday they will 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.

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.

"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," Gardaí said on Friday.

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.

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.