Body found in water at Carlingford Lough in search for missing woman Ruth Maguire

by Q Radio News

A woman's body's been found in the search for missing 30-year-old Ruth Maguire.

The remains were recovered from Carlingford Lough today after gardaí, the public and the coast guard conducted searches.

Ms Maguire, a mother-of-three, was last seen at 11.30pm while out celebrating a friend's hen party in Carlingford in the Republic of Ireland, Belfast Live reports.

Ms Maguire was originally from Belfast but lived in the village of Newcastle, County Down.

Her friend Seana McMullan posted on Facebook on Sunday: "It's now been a full 24 hours since Ruth Maguire has been seen.

"She was separated from our hen party in Carlingford and we assumed that she would return by morning after a few of the girls searched for her."

The post adds: "Her phone has not been active since 12pm last night."

Her friend Katrina O'Hare told Belfast Live: "We thought she was going to head home to Newcastle because she had said to a bouncer she was going to get to Newcastle from here, but her partner and her kids were at her mum's house in Ligoniel.

"He drove down today and she was not there."

In a statement, gardaí said: "The search for a missing 30 year old woman has been stood down following the discovery of a body of a woman in the water at Carlingford Lough this afternoon Monday the 18th of March 2019. The body is believed to be that of missing woman Ruth Maguire.

"Gardaí wish to thank the public for their help in this instance, the help of the volunteers and the Coast Guard. No further assistance is required.

Meanwhile, police and family of Nicola Murray, from Cushendall, continue to appeal for information in relation to her whereabouts. 

Nicola is 43 years old, approximately 5ft 3 inches tall, of slim build, with dark brown shoulder length hair, which is slightly greying and normally tied in a ponytail. 

Nicola was last seen leaving her home address in Cushendall at approximately 6:15pm, on Saturday 16 March. When last seen she was wearing a short red padded coat, dark blue jeans and a pink coloured beanie hat. 

Police are appealing for Nicola, or anyone who knows of her whereabouts, to contact officers in Coleraine on 101 quoting reference 1183 16/03/19.