5 days ago
Gardaí arrest woman (40s) as part of Stephen O'Meara murder investigation
The woman, aged in her 40s, was arrested this afternoon on suspicion of murder and is currently detained pursuant to Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at a Garda Station in County Wexford.
Two men have been convicted for offences relating to this murder, but gardaí issued a fresh appeal in 2023 as they believed there may have been others involved in his killing.
In 2012, Michael Dickenson of Darragh Park, Wicklow town, was jailed for life after being convicted of Stephen's murder. In 2013, Clement Byrne of Clonattin Village, Gorey, Co Wexford was sentenced to eight-years imprisonment for his role in Stephen's death.
Gardaí report that on August 6, 2009, at approximately 6pm, Stephen left his home at Rose Hill, Wicklow town, and walked down through different walkways along the back of the town to Marlton road, where he was collected by a silver Nissan Pulsar car and driven through Redcross to Ballydonnell Wood.
At the woods, gardaí believe there was a group of suspects present. Stephen was then fatally injured, shot and buried in a shallow grave at the woods.
On August 8, 2009, Stephen was reported missing to gardaí by his partner.
Gardaí began a missing person investigation, later upgraded to murder, which resulted in the two individuals being convicted for offences relating to the murder.
Gardaí have continued their investigation since.
In 2023, Crimecall interviewed Stephen's parents John and Veronica who appealed for the public to assist with the garda investigation into their son's death and to help them find closure.
Gardaí at the time said they would like to thank Stephen's parents for the strength that they have shown.
