BREAKING: Gardaí arrest three people over murder of man last seen in Kildare

Gardaí arrested three people in connection with the murder of William Delaney who went missing from his Portlaoise home in 2019. 

Portlaoise Gardaí investigating his murder arrested a further three people (two women and a man) in connection with this investigation.

The women (aged in their 20’s and 30’s) and the man (aged in his 30’s) are currently detained pursuant to Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, at Garda stations in the Midland and South Western regions.

These latest arrests follow the arrest of three people in November 2025. On that occasion, two women in their 30’s and 50’s and a man in his 30’s were arrested and questioned. They were subsequently released without charge. 

READ ALSO: Five year anniversary of Laois resident's disappearance

William Delaney, was aged 56, when he went missing on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

He was a Tipperary native who lived in Fielbrook, Portlaoise where he had a large family. On the morning of January 30, 2019 William left Portlaoise General Hospital where he had been a patient. Gardaí have established that William collected his welfare payment at Portlaoise Post Office after leaving the hospital.

William was last seen at approximately 3pm on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 30, 2019 in Monasterevin, Co Kildare where he called to visit a relative who lived in the area. The relation wasn’t at home but William was seen outside the premises which is situated on the old Cork-Dublin Road directly opposite a local landmark known as the Hazel Hotel.

William was then reported missing by his family on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

In June 2019, Gardaí received information that William Delaney had been killed and that his body had been buried at a location in Laois. Gardaí said a comprehensive search was conducted in the area surrounding the Rock of Dunamase but no remains were discovered. Arrests were made at the time, but nobody was charged.

Another search was carried out in bogland at Kyletalesha in August 2023 off the N80 on the Portlaoise to Mountmellick Road near the Laois County Council Kyletalesha landfill.

In a statement this morning, investigators said: “Gardaí continue to appeal to the community and would like to thank them for their assistance so far, however Gardaí believe that people in the community have information and have not yet come forward.” 

An Garda Síochána, are appealing for information on the murder of William Delaney and any persons with any information are asked to contact Gardaí at Portlaoise on 057-8674100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station