A man and a teenage girl were arrested on Thursday in relation to the disappearance of a man who has not been seen since January.
William Delaney went missing from his home in the Fieldbrook estate of Portlaoise, Co Laois five months ago.
The disappearance of the 56 year-old was not reported initially after he disappeared on Wednesday, January 31 before an extensive Garda operation began in February.
Numerous missing person appeals for Mr Delaney were put out in March and April failed to result in a breakthrough.
It is understood Gardai received a tip-off on Tuesday evening regarding the possible location of the missing man’s body after a woman called into Portlaoise Garda Station.
After quizzing the woman and carring out interviews the gardai launched an immediate search of the Rock of Dunamase area on the Stradbally side of Portlaoise.
The probe was boosted as up to 70 members of the Irish Defence Forces joined gardai to trawl the area on Wednesday and Thursday.
There was another big development Thursday as officers arrested a man in his 30s and a female teenager on suspicion of murder.
In a statement, gardai said: “This afternoon 20th June 2019, two people, a male in his 30s and a female teenager, were arrested on suspicion of murder by Gardaí investigating this missing person investigation.
“They are currently detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Tullamore Garda Station.
“The search of the area in Dunamaise, Portlaoise will continue tomorrow morning along with the assistance of the Defence Forces.”
