Co Louth searches for missing NI woman end

Missing Belfast woman Saoirse Smyth is feared to have been murdered. Credit: Family photos

Gardaí say “nothing of significance” has been found as they end their searches in Co Louth for missing Belfast woman Saoirse Smyth, who is feared to have been murdered.

The 28-year-old was last seen in Belfast on 11 April 2017.

She had moved to Omeath in Co Louth and is believed to have returned there later that day, but was officially reported missing in December 2017.

The PSNI and An Garda Síochána had been investigating her disappearance, but said in July last year that information obtained by officers – along with Saoirse’s failure to respond to pleas from her family on social media – had led them to believe she had been murdered.

On Friday, gardaí confirmed their searches in a forested area on the border had ended.

A spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána will continue to support their colleagues from the PSNI in relation to this investigation.”