Three further arrests made as part of investigation of 2019 murder

Three people have been arrested by gardai investigating the murder of a man who went missing almost seven years ago.

Gardai issued an appeal for information and said they believe that people in the community have information and have not yet come forward.

William Delaney was last seen on January 30, 2019, and reported missing by his family on March 6 that year.

In June 2019, gardai say they received information that the 56-year-old had been killed and his body buried in Co Laois.

On Monday, two women aged in their 20s and 30s, and a man aged in his 30s, were arrested in connection with the probe.

They are being detained at Garda stations in the Midlands and South Western regions.

In November, gardai arrested two women, one in her 30s and the other in her 50s, and a man in his 30s before they were released without charge.

Mr Delaney was from Tipperary, but lived in Portlaoise where he had a large family.

On the day he was last seen alive, he left Portlaoise General Hospital where he had been a patient and collected his welfare payment at Portlaoise Post Office.

The final sighting of Mr Delaney was at 3pm that afternoon in Monasterevin, Co Kildare, where he called to visit a relative who lived in the area.

The relation was not at home, but William was seen outside their property.

Gardai are continuing to appeal to the community and thanked them for their assistance.

“However, Gardai believe that people in the community have information and have not yet come forward,” they said.

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