Search takes place in north County Dublin for murdered couple

A search has begun in north County Dublin for a man and woman who are missing and believed to be murdered.

Gardai said William Maughan and Anastasija Varslavane were last seen in April 2015.

In 2016 the case was upgraded to a murder investigation.

Seven people have previously been arrested by gardai investigating the disappearance of the pair.

On Friday gardai started a search of open lands in north County Dublin which is set to continue over the coming days.

Mr Maughan and Ms Varslavane, who were a couple, were last seen on Tuesday April 14, 2015.

They had been living in a caravan in Gormanston, Co Meath but had decided to return to Mr Maughan’s family home in Tallaght.

The couple had been in Balbriggan on April 14, and later got a taxi together to Gormanston shortly after 2.30pm where Mr Maughan’s mother was to collect them and their belongings.

Mr Maughan spoke to his mother at around 2.30pm, asking her to come to Gormanston, however when she arrived there just before 3pm, she could not find the pair.

She went on to report them both as missing.

Gardai said an extensive investigation was launched with several searches and inquiries, and the case was upgraded to a murder investigation following a review in September 2016.

A Garda spokesperson said they are keeping the family fully updated, and reissued an appeal for anyone with information about the disappearance and murder of Mr Maughan and Ms Varslavane to speak with investigating gardai.

“Given the passage of time since their disappearance individuals’ personal circumstances may now have changed and people may now be in a position to either speak to investigating Gardai or to provide information now that they may not have been able to provide before,” they said.

Anyone with information should contact Ashbourne Garda Station on 01 8010600 or any Garda station.

To provide information confidentially contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.