Request for further information into 24-year-old’s final movements
The father of a 24-year-old woman whose body was recovered from the River Suir in February 2017 has pleaded with anyone who may have undisclosed information relating to her final known movements to come forward.
Speaking to The Munster Express, Michael O’Brien recalled that he was socialising with his daughter Elizabeth (known to her friends and family as Lizzie) until 1am on Sunday, February 12th.

The late Elizabeth 'Lizzie' O'Brien, who was last seen alive in the early hours of February 12th, 2017.

The late Elizabeth 'Lizzie' O'Brien, who was last seen alive in the early hours of February 12th, 2017.


“She told me she was okay for getting home (to Poleberry) but I gave her €20 for a taxi just in case she needed it. She told me she was fine; I was going to a friend’s house in Knockhouse myself that particular night and sure I thought no more of it at the time. As far as I was concerned, Lizzie was going home and that was it…but I feel completely haunted about it, I don’t feel that she’s leaving me rest.”Ms O’Brien, who had only moved into Waterford from Grange Road, Mooncoin a few months prior to her death, “wasn’t too streetwise,” in her father’s opinion. “Something we don’t know about must have happened that night, that’s my feeling,” said Michael O’Brien. “There was a rumour that a young woman was seen running across The Quay, away from the pubs down near the Bus Station and the bridge that night, and maybe that was Lizzie. Maybe she was looking for help, maybe she was running away from something or somebody; of course I don’t know this for certain and no-one has ever come forward to back up that rumour, so I’m saying all of this taking that into account. But I’m seeking help from anyone who was down at that end of The Quay that particular night, who might have seen or heard something unusual.”
Mr O’Brien added: “We’re just gone past Lizzie’s second anniversary now but it’s not gotten in anyway easier. The not knowing what exactly happened is a terrible torment; I can’t really describe how hard it is to live with this. The last certain time I have in terms of Lizzie that night was that she sent a text message at 3.20 that morning. So there’s just over two hours between me saying goodbye to her and that last message in which nobody as of yet can tell me where she was, who she was with or what she was doing.”
An extensive search and rescue operation was stood down on Saturday, February 18th, 2017 following the recovery of Ms O’Brien’s body at Grannagh.
Daughter of Michael and Liz O’Brien, and sister of Mark, Lizzie was a former pupil of Coláiste Cois Siúire and following her Leaving Certificate, undertook Equine Studies at Kildalton Agricultural College. Michael O’Brien stated: “If anyone has information that they’ve not shared with anyone about that night, and where Lizzie was between 1.15am and 3.20am on Sunday morning, the 12th of February, please come forward. Maybe me saying this might jog someone’s memory. I hope it will.”
Anyone who may have information should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111