Man in his 60s arrested as part of Annie McCarrick murder investigation

In a historic breakthrough more than three decades after her disappearance, Gardaí have arrested a man in his 60s on suspicion of the murder of Annie McCarrick, the 26‑year‑old American who vanished in Dublin on March 26, 1993.

McCarrick, originally from Bayport, Long Island, moved to Ireland in 1987 and had recently settled permanently in Sandymount. That morning, she was last seen purchasing groceries at Quinnsworth on Sandymount Road—marked by a receipt timestamped 11:02 am. Those groceries were later found untouched, her flatmates reported, making this her final confirmed activity.

Thursday's development marks the first arrest in what has been a long-standing missing persons inquiry. In 2023, in response to persistent advocacy by her mother, Nancy, Gardaí elevated the case to a murder investigation.

On Thursday morning, An Garda Síochána released a statement announcing the arrest of a man on suspicion of McCarrick's murder in Dublin.

"Investigating Gardaí are today commencing a search operation at a residence in Clondalkin, Dublin 22," Thursday morning's statement says.

"Elements of that house and garden will be searched and subject of both technical and forensic examinations.

"The current residents of this home are not connected in any way with Annie McCarrick or her disappearance."

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Annie McCarrick.

Gardaí said Thursday's arrest and search operation is being led by an investigation team from the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) South Central Division, Serious Crime Unit based at Irishtown Garda Station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer and with the assistance of the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Gardaí added that they have and will continue to keep McCarrick's family fully updated.

"An Garda Síochána appeal to anyone with information, no matter how small or insignificant that they might believe it to be, to contact with the investigation team," the statement continues.

"Gardaí also appeal to anyone that may have previously come forward but who felt that they could not provide Gardaí with all of the relevant information they had in relation to this matter, to please make contact with An Garda Síochána again.

"With the passage of time, they may now be in a position to speak further with the investigation team.

"Any information will be welcomed by the investigation team, and will be treated in the strictest confidence.

"The investigation team can be contacted at Irishtown Garda Station on 01 666 9600 or anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line: 1800 666 111."

Background to Annie McCarrick's case

Annie McCarrick was born on March 21, 1967, and was 26 years old at the time of her disappearance. She was the only child of her father, John (deceased), and mother, Nancy. She was originally from New York.

As a teen, McCarrick visited Ireland on a school trip. Annie’s parents describe 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.

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Annie McCarrick captured on CCTV.

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

On January 4, 1993, McCarrick moved to Ireland to live permanently and settled into rental accommodation at St. Catherine’s Court, Sandymount, Dublin 4, with two other tenants.

On Friday, March 26, 1993, McCarrick spoke to both her flatmates before they left separately to travel home for the weekend.

McCarrick made arrangements with friends, inviting them to her apartment for dinner the following day, Saturday, March 27. Annie was excited and making plans for her mother Nancy’s impending visit to Ireland the coming week. Nancy was due to arrive on March 30, 1993.

On Sunday, March 28, 1993, friends of Annie McCarrick became concerned for her welfare. Annie was not at home on Saturday, March 27, when they called for dinner as invited. She had not turned up for work on Saturday, the 27th, or on the morning of Sunday the 28th.

A friend called to her apartment on the evening of the 28th and spoke with Annie’s two flatmates.  Groceries that had been purchased by Annie on the morning of Friday, March 26, 1993, in Quinnsworth on Sandymount Road had been left unpacked in shopping bags.

A receipt in the shopping bags confirmed the date and time of purchase as March 26, 1993, at 11:02 am. This is the last confirmed activity of Annie McCarrick.

Annie was reported missing by a friend at Irishtown Garda Station on the evening of Sunday, March 28, 1993.  This missing person report was confirmed by her mother, Nancy, when she arrived in Dublin on Tuesday, March 30, 1993.