Man arrested over disappearance and murder of US woman

Annie McCarrick disappeared in the Republic of Ireland 32 years ago

A man in his 60s has been arrested in connection with the disappearance and murder of an American woman in the Republic of Ireland more than 30 years ago.

Annie McCarrick, who was 26 at the time, had been living in Dublin when she went missing on 26 March 1993.

The case was treated as a missing persons inquiry for more than 30 years until it was upgraded by gardaí (Irish police) to a murder inquiry in 2023.

The man was arrested on suspicion of Ms McCarrick's murder on Thursday morning and a search operation is also underway at a house in the Clondalkin area of Dublin.

Gardaí have said that part of the house and garden will be searched and forensic examinations carried out.

This search operation will be supported by other agencies, if required, according to Gardaí.

It is being directed by a senior investigating officer, with the assistance of the serious crime review team from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

The family of Annie McCarrick are being kept fully updated on the latest developments in the investigation.

Gardaí are also appealing to anyone who may have previously come forward, but who felt they could not provide all the relevant information they had at the time, to contact them again.

With the passage of time, according to a spokesperson, these individuals may now be willing to speak again with the investigation team.

Groceries had been left unpacked

Annie McCarrick was the only child of her father, John, who is deceased, and her mother, Nancy, and was originally from New York.

As a teenager, she visited Ireland on a school trip.

Her parents had previously described how she fell in love with Ireland and the way of life and how, upon her return to New York, she indicated her intention to return to Ireland to live.

In the late 1980s, she completed her third level studies at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra in Dublin and at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, before returning to New York in 1991 to complete her studies at Stoney Brook University.

In January 1993, she moved to Ireland to live permanently and settled into rental accommodation at Sandymount in Dublin with two other tenants.

That March, Annie spoke to both her flatmates before they left separately to travel home for the weekend.

She also made arrangements with friends, inviting them to her apartment for dinner the following day, 27 March 1993.

She was also said to be excited and making plans for her mother Nancy's impending visit to Ireland the following week.

On 28 March 1993, friends of Annie McCarrick became concerned for her welfare after she was not at home when they called for the prearranged dinner.

Groceries had been left unpacked in shopping bags and a receipt in the shopping bags was the last confirmed activity of Annie McCarrick.