Annie McCarrick was going to break up with murder suspect days before disappearance
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Annie McCarrick decided to break off a secret relationship with the man suspected of murdering her just days before she vanished, it has emerged.
We have learned that Ms McCarrick, 26, felt guilty about the fling – and decided to end it. As gardai continue an invasive search of a house in Clondalkin, south west Dublin, as part of the probe into the New Yorker's murder, sources have also told us Annie was planning to tell the suspect the relationship was over.
And we have also been informed that she knew the suspect's girlfriend, felt guilty about what had happened – and was intending to confess to her. But she never got the chance to do either of those things, sources say.
Annie, who was last seen in the Sandymount area of Dublin on March 26, 1993, had last been with the suspect just over a week earlier. It's understood she was with the suspect – who was arrested on suspicion of her murder last week – on Thursday, March 18.
That was a day after she had attended a St Patrick's Day parade in the city centre.
Investigators have established that the following day she was in a pub with the suspect on the southside of the city, before going to another location near Lucan with him.
But it is understood that the following day she felt guilty about the secret fling – which began after she arrived back in Ireland in late January 1993 from New York and decided to end it.
But she never got to break it off as she disappeared on March 26 and has not been seen since.
Gardai and other investigators have long been aware that the suspect, who denied any role in Ms McCarrick's murder when he was questioned by gardai last Thursday, had a girlfriend while he was having a secret relationship with the American.
But it can now be revealed that Ms McCarrick, who complained of being stalked by the suspect and even assaulted by him, tried to end the affair.
'She was filled with remorse and wanted to end it,' a source confirmed.
The man, who is now a wealthy businessman in his 60s, was known for his violence and had always been viewed as a person of interest by gardai probing Ms McCarrick's disappearance.
But he became a suspect when the case was upgraded from a missing person's inquiry to a full murder probe in March 2023 – the 30th anniversary of the student's disappearance.
We reported earlier this week that gardai at Irishtown station in south central Dublin, the investigation HQ, made the decision to arrest the man after officers travelled overseas earlier this year to interview his brother.
The brother made a voluntary statement and as a result of that and analysis of other evidence, gardai decided to arrest the suspect.
He was detained at his home outside Dublin on Thursday morning – just as officers sealed off a house in Clondalkin as part of the same probe.
Gardai stressed that the present residents of the house are in no way connected to Ms McCarrick, or the case. Officers are now carrying out an invasive search of the property.
It is understood they are concentrating on an extension, built before the current residents bought the house, as well as the garden and outhouses.
Last Friday, gardai brought in PSNI cadaver dog Fern – who found the remains of murdered Tina Satchwell, buried in her Youghal, Co Cork home, in October 2023 – to search the property. Garda specialists from the Technical Bureau as well as officers from Irishtown station were still working at the house yesterday.
The suspect was released without charge on Friday, but gardai say the investigation is ongoing.
Officers have appealed to anyone with information to come forward.
The force said in a statement: 'An Garda Siochana appeal to anyone with information, no matter how small or insignificant that they might believe it to be, to contact the investigation team.
'Gardai also appeal to anyone that may have previously come forward but who felt that they could not provide Gardai with all of the relevant information they had in relation to this matter, to please make contact with An Garda Siochana 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.'
Ms McCarrick's mother Nancy, 81, told us her priority was not getting someone charged with murder – but to get her daughter.
She said: 'Really my only concern is Annie. I'm sorry, it sounds terrible to say, but I really don't have any interest in justice.'
Stating that she was just taking everything 'day by day,' Ms McCarrick said all she is hoping for now is answers.
She added: 'It's day by day at this point in time. I'll just see what happens.
'It would [be good] to know what happened.'
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Donald Trump calls for special prosecutor to investigate 2020 election
President Donald Trump has called for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden, repeating his baseless claim that the contest was marred by widespread fraud. 'Biden was grossly incompetent, and the 2020 election was a total FRAUD!' Mr Trump said in a social media post in which he also sought to favourably contrast his immigration enforcement approach with that of the former president. 'The evidence is MASSIVE and OVERWHELMING. A Special Prosecutor must be appointed. This cannot be allowed to happen again in the United States of America! Let the work begin!' Donald Trump has also instructed his administration to investigate Joe Biden's actions as president, alleging aides masked his 'cognitive decline' (David J Phillip/AP) Mr Trump's post, made as his Republican White House is consumed by a hugely substantial foreign policy decision on whether to get directly involved in the Israel-Iran war, is part of an amped-up effort by him to undermine the legitimacy of Mr Biden's presidency. Earlier this month, Mr Trump directed his administration to investigate Mr Biden's actions as president, alleging aides masked his predecessor's 'cognitive decline'. Mr Biden has dismissed the investigation as 'a mere distraction'. The post also revives a long-running grievance by Mr Trump that the election was stolen even though courts around the country and a Trump attorney general from his first term found no evidence of fraud that could have affected the outcome. The Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity arm pronounced the election 'the most secure in American history'. President Donald Trump (Alex Brandon/AP) It was unclear what Mr Trump had in mind when he called for a special prosecutor, but in the event Attorney General Pam Bondi heeds his call, she may face pressure to appoint someone who has already been confirmed by the Senate. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Friday. The Justice Department has appointed a succession of special counsels in recent years — sometimes, though not always, plucked from outside the agency — to lead investigations into politically sensitive matters, including into conduct by Mr Biden and by Mr Trump. Last year, Mr Trump's personal lawyers launched an aggressive, and successful, challenge to the appointment of Jack Smith, the special counsel assigned to investigate his efforts to undo the 2020 presidential election and his retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. A Trump-appointed judge agreed, ruling that then-Attorney General Merrick Garland had exceeded his bounds by appointing a prosecutor without Senate approval and confirmation, and dismissed the case. That legal team included Todd Blanche, who is now deputy attorney general, as well as Emil Bove, who is Mr Blanche's top deputy but was recently nominated to serve as a judge on a federal appeals court.
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Mystery female donor who paid £1,300 fine to free Madeleine McCann suspect Brueckner is former COP who investigated him
THE woman who has paid for the prime Madeleine McCann suspect's early release has been revealed as a cop who had been investigating the paedophile. The mystery donor Advertisement 6 The woman who has paid for Christian Brueckner's early release from jail has been revealed as a cop Credit: Dan Charity 6 Brueckner's release will have a major implication on the investigations into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann Credit: AFP Reports have now identified her as a former officer with the German FBI - known as the BKA - who claims to have been involved in wire-tapping his jail cell. She confirmed to respected Hamburg-based publication Convicted rapist Brueckner had only been able to pay off £210 of the total fine and faced being kept behind bars until January. Advertisement read more in Christian B That scenario would have granted cops four precious extra months to hunt down forensic evidence and finally charge him over Maddie's disappearance. As it is, the ex-cop's intervention undermined the same force she previously worked for - all as they The woman - who has not been publicly named - claims she worked in the field of 'Operative Technology Audio'. She says she was involved in bugging Brueckner's prison cell - allegations that emerged in court last year as the disturbed German was cleared of fresh rape charges. Advertisement Most read in The Sun The female fine-payer did confirm: 'I never had personal contact with Christian B.' And when confronted over the fine payment, the woman bizarrely told Spiegel it has been a 'misunderstanding' and she had tried in vain to reverse the payment. She reportedly believed the fine was due to Brueckner insulting a police officer, something she said "wasn't justified". Madeleine McCann: the secret evidence on prime suspect Christian B | Sun Documentary When she learned that the penalties were actually to do with a number of infractions, including bodily harm, 'it was already too late,' she said. Advertisement Spiegel reports it has been able to verify she transferred £1,300 to an account of the Braunschweig public prosecutor's office at the Comdirect bank. It cleared a 2016 Helmstedt District Court fine for drunkenness in traffic and forgery of documents and a 2017 Braunschweig court levy for assault. Brueckner will now walk free when his sentence for raping an American woman, 72, in Praia da Luz, in 2005, ends. He has been named publicly as the prime suspect over the May 3, 2007 disappearance of Maddie, of Rothley, Leics., since 2020 but has never been charged. Advertisement He has used letters to deny the claims but has refused to answer police questions or provide an alibi. His phone was in Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine vanished and made a 30-minute call from the area. 6 Young Maddie vanished on May 3, 2007 in Portugal Credit: Alamy 6 Brueckner appeared in court earlier this year over verbal assaults on prison guards Credit: Rob Pattinson Advertisement His Jaguar was re-registered into a name the day after the disappearance. A Sun investigation this year revealed bombshell new evidence - including Brueckner's obsession with snatching and abusing small, young, blonde girls. We also placed him at key police locations of interest, including a lake where cops dug for evidence, And we showed evidence he was at the scene of an al-but-confession when he allegedly said Maddie 'did not scream,' in 2008. Advertisement Our probe - aired on Channel 4 - revealed the existence of a hard-drive and laptop containing crucial picture evidence on the case. Police maintain they have physical evidence Maddie is dead - but no forensic links. German police have recently stressed the value UK authorities could provide by getting involved in the case again before Brueckner's release. He has refused to rule out leaving Germany and insisted he will go to ground on his release. Advertisement If he travelled to a non-extradition country all hopes for McCann justice could disappear with him. Timeline of Maddie's disappearance May 3, 2007 Madeleine McCann disappears from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, sparking a January 15, 2016 Neighbour reports a possible 'grave' at Brueckner's abandoned factory in East Germany. Cops find disturbing February 16, 2016 Christian Brueckner is convicted for abusing a girl of five in a park after images found on his laptop. He was sentenced to 15-months behind bars but was already on the run by then. May 3, 2017 Around this time, He reports an alleged confession by Christian Brueckner. September 27, 2018 On-the-run Christian Brueckner is arrested over outstanding drugs claims in Italy. He is extradited to Germany the following year. December 16, 2019 Christian Brueckner was convicted, in Germany, for the 2005 rape of an American woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal, after his DNA was matched to a hair found on her bed. He was sentenced to seven years behind bars. June 4, 2020 German prosecutors reveal to the world they have a suspect in custody under investigation for the abduction of Madeleine McCann. For the first time they claim German media later name him as June 23, 2023 In his first interview, witness Helge B alleges to German newspaper Bild that Christian Brueckner all-but-confessed the Madeleine abduction to him, by allegedly saying 'she didn't scream' as they talked about the case, at a music festival, in Spain. February 16, 2024 Brueckner goes on trial accused of none-McCann allegations of rape and sex assault, in Braunschweig, Germany. Prosecutors hope for a conviction to keep him behind bars permanently and lead to McCann charges. October 8, 2024 Prosecutors launch an appeal, however. Decision pending. September 17, 2025 Date on which Prosecutors require an arrest warrant for a retrial over claims from last year - or over the McCann case. June 1, 2025 Police order a renewed search for clues in Praia Da Luz on the Algarve in Portugal. It lasts for just three days. 6 Brueckner is serving time in jail after being convicted of rape Credit: Rex Features 6 Police tirelessly dug for new clues in Portugal two weeks ago Credit: Dan Charity
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Ex-assistant to Sean 'Diddy' Combs says job included buying drugs, setting up sex parties
Sean 'Diddy' Combs's former personal assistant has testified at the hip-hop mogul's sex trafficking trial that he often bought drugs for his boss and set up hotel rooms for sex parties known as "wild king nights." Prosecutors hope the testimony by Brendan Paul, who worked for Mr Combs from late 2022 through March 2024, will help them prove their racketeering conspiracy charge against Mr Combs. Prosecutors say Mr Combs used his businesses' resources to coerce women into ecstasy-fueled sexual performances with male sex workers. Mr Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to all five criminal counts. His lawyers call the sexual activity consensual. The Bad Boy Records founder, a former billionaire who elevated hip-hop in American culture, could face life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors are winding down their case after six weeks, with defense witnesses expected to testify next week. Mr Paul, testifying under immunity from prosecutors, said he bought Mr Combs about $4,200 of marijuana and hundreds of dollars of ketamine during his employment. Jurors saw a text message in which Mr Paul asked Mr Combs's security staff to be reimbursed for his drug purchases. They also saw a 14 February 2024 text message in which Mr Combs wrote "You get me zans," which Mr Paul said was a request to procure Xanax without a prescription. Paul said Combs ultimately obtained Xanax elsewhere, and used cocaine and ecstasy in his presence. Under cross-examination by defense lawyer Brian Steel, Mr Paul said procuring drugs was a minor part of his job, and he thought the drugs were solely for Mr Combs's personal use. "You were not some drug mule?" Mr Steel asked. "Absolutely not," Mr Paul said. Mr Paul also said that before three or four "wild king nights," he stocked hotel rooms with lubricant, baby oil, liquor and a Gucci pouch filled with hard drugs. When Mr Combs was done, Mr Paul said he would put on gloves and clean up to avoid being billed by hotels for damage. Mr Paul said he was charged with cocaine possession after being arrested on 25 March 2024, at Miami-Opa Locka airport in Florida while traveling to the Bahamas with Mr Combs and other staffers. He said he put the cocaine in his bag after finding it while cleaning Mr Combs's room that day, but forgot about it and did not tell law enforcement where it came from. Asked by prosecutor Christy Slavik why he kept silent, Mr Paul said, "Loyalty."
