Gardaí say its searches in Omeath, Co Louth for missing woman Saoirse Smyth have ended.

"The search returned nothing of significance", a statement says.

An Garda Síochána was assisting the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in their investigation into the murder of the Belfast woman, who disappeared in April 2017.

They began the search of a forested area in Omeath on Monday.

The search was conducted by detectives from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), supported by the Louth Divisional Search Team, Garda Technical Bureau, a specialist forensic archaeologist and specialist cadaver search dogs.

Investigators from the PSNI were also assisting in the operation.

An undated photo of Saoirse Smyth | Image: PSNI

Saoirse had very distinctive red hair and was approximately 5'0'' tall and of slim build.

Since her disappearance there has been no contact with family or friends which is highly unusual.

PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Darren McCartney said: "Saoirse was originally from Belfast and disappeared in April 2017.

"Enquires have led us to believe that she has been murdered and we have been working closely with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána to get answers for her family.

"Saoirse was last seen in the Belfast area on April 11th 2017 and I believe she returned to Omeath, where she was living at the time, later that day."

"Saoirse’s family have been left devastated and they deserve to know what has happened to her".

An Garda Síochána is asking anyone who has any information in relation to her murder/disappearance to contact the incident room in Dundalk Garda station on 042-938-8470 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111.