GARDAÍ INVESTIGATING the disappearance of a Co Westmeath woman have said there is a “strong possibility” she may be dead.
Marie Greene (37) was last seen at her family home at St Mel’s Terrace, Athlone, on Sunday, February 13th. She left her home shortly after 9pm having received a phone call.
Yesterday gardaí in Athlone arrested a man on suspicion of murder and sealed off a house in Monksland on the west of the town.
A Garda team also began searching bogland off the Ballymore road on the outskirts of Athlone.
The man being questioned is in his 60s.
He was arrested following a surveillance operation, and is being detained for questioning at Athlone Garda station.
Despite an extensive search and appeal by gardaí, there have been no sightings of Ms Greene in over a week. Gardaí also confirmed there has been no activity on her mobile phone or bank card.
When last seen Ms Greene was wearing jeans, white runners and a navy zipped fleece. She is 5ft 5in, slim and of fair complexion. Gardaí said she has medium length brown hair which is normally tied in a ponytail.
Gardaí have conducted door-to-door inquiries, viewed CCTV footage and conducted searches with a Garda helicopter and the Garda Sub Aqua Unit in recent days.
While there was a positive response to recent media appeals, with over 100 lines of inquiry opening, Supt Aidan Glacken said gardaí had “bottomed out” most of those leads.
He said he was now holding out little hope of finding Ms Greene alive.
“Our investigations to date tend to suggest that there is a strong possibility she may be dead.”
He said all possible Garda resources were being provided for the investigation. “This is the first arrest in the investigation at the moment. It may well lead to other things.”
Family and friends stood outside Ms Greene’s home yesterday in a bid to keep the media away from her mother Winnie.
Last week she had expressed her belief that her daughter had either been kidnapped or was dead.
“I know myself that it is not like Marie to be out there without getting in contact with me. I know someone has her; she is either dead or someone is holding her, and I would like them to think about me and let her home to me.”
Gardaí said Ms Greene’s disappearance was uncharacteristic. They described her as “a creature of habit” who had a regular daily pattern.
Anyone with information can contact Athlone Garda station at 090-6498550 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.