Gardaí receive ‘key information' about disappearance of Icelandic man Jon Jonsson six years ago
A team of five detectives travelled to Iceland on Monday and are due to come back to Ireland today.
Garda detectives have interviewed 45 people this week in Iceland in relation to the disappearance of Jon Jonsson.
The case has not yet been upgraded to homicide and suicide has not yet been ruled out.
A team of five detectives travelled to Iceland on Monday and are due to come back to Ireland today.
Sources said the gardaí received 'key information' and are keeping a 'very open mind' about the disappearance of the 41-year-old, who was in Ireland to attend the Dublin Poker Festival when he went missing six years ago.
We need to analyse every single detail – the clue to this is in Iceland
A large number of females were interviewed as part of the process along with some suspected criminals.
'We need to analyse every single detail in the 45 statements that have been obtained – the clue to this is in Iceland,' a source told the Sunday World.
The father of four disappeared after leaving the Bonnington Hotel on the Swords Road in north Dublin on February 9, 2019.
Jon Jonsson seen leaving the Bonnington Hotel. Photo: Paul Sheridan
News in 90 Seconds - June 28th
The investigation is being led by Detective Superintendent Alan Brady of Ballymun garda station who made a public appeal earlier this week for information in the case.
'We came here to interview a large number of people who we think may have some information in relation to where Jon is,' Det Supt Brady said.
'We've also come here to appeal to the Icelandic public for help in finding Jon.
'We believe that whatever happened to Jon did happen to him in Dublin, but the answers to what happened to Jon may lie here amongst the Icelandic community.'
Speaking to Icelandic media, Det Supt Brady said gardaí were trying to do everything they can to progress the investigation.
No family should have to endure what they've gone through
'Jon's family have been going through heartbreak for the last six-and-a-half years,' he said.
'We're here to try and find answers for them. No family should have to endure what they've gone through.'
The investigation into Mr Jonsson's disappearance has been stepped up in recent months.
His family believe he may have been murdered by a paid hitman in a case of mistaken identity.
One line of investigation is if the hitman intended to target a different Icelandic man visiting Ireland at the time.
Gardaí believe there are people who may have knowledge of Mr Jonsson's disappearance who are not comfortable speaking to Icelandic police. They hope they will be more willing to speak to Irish officers.
The Irish Independent understands that all 45 interviews conducted by gardaí this week were facilitated by Icelandic police.
In April, gardaí in Dublin carried out four new searches with cadaver dogs after people provided information after RTÉ aired a documentary podcast series on Mr Jonsson's disappearance.
Mr Jonsson left the hotel on foot at about 11am and was recorded by a security camera 200m away.
Beyond those images, no trace of him has ever been uncovered.
Since Mr Jonsson disappeared, gardaí have followed more than 350 lines of enquiry.
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