Menu
15/06/2018
Body Exhumed In Sligo Is Not Arlene Arkinson
A body exhumed from a grave in Sligo has been found to not be that of missing Tyrone teenager, Arlene Arkinson.
In a report by the BBC, Kathleen Arkinson, said: "My hope in finding the remains of my sister, Arlene, have been dashed again.
"I prayed it was Arlene and was devastated when I was told it wasn't.
"We seem to suffer blow after blow."
It is understood that the exhumation was carried out in March this year, after the coroner leading an ongoing inquest in Arlene's case uncovered information about the body in a Garda files.
The files are understood to have revealed that the body – described as that of a young woman with long hair, "wrapped in plastic" – was discovered by gravediggers in 1996. The find was not officially reported for another three years. Reports claim that the body was not reported "for fear the IRA had something to do with the death". However, it is claimed that officials decided not to exhume the body after it was reported.
A decision to exhume the remains was only made after the Belfast coroner uncovered details of the body in garda reports.
Arlene Arkinson's family have raised questions over why the body was not exhumed sooner, and whether or not the RUC – the PSNI was formerly known as the RUC – was ever informed about the discovery.
Speaking to the BBC, Kathleen Arkinson, said: "This was an obvious lead for those searching for Arlene and it's only coming out now.
"It makes me wonder how many other possible leads the Garda had and didn't share them.
"It only adds to the secrecy and mistrust which has surrounded Arlene's case from day one."
The inquest into the teenager's death is due to resume in Belfast on Monday.
Arlene (15), from Castlederg, disappeared in 1994 after a night out in County Donegal.
She was last seen in the company of convicted child killer Robert Howard who died in 2015.
He was acquitted of Arlene's murder, but remains the prime suspect in the case.
(MH)
In a report by the BBC, Kathleen Arkinson, said: "My hope in finding the remains of my sister, Arlene, have been dashed again.
"I prayed it was Arlene and was devastated when I was told it wasn't.
"We seem to suffer blow after blow."
It is understood that the exhumation was carried out in March this year, after the coroner leading an ongoing inquest in Arlene's case uncovered information about the body in a Garda files.
The files are understood to have revealed that the body – described as that of a young woman with long hair, "wrapped in plastic" – was discovered by gravediggers in 1996. The find was not officially reported for another three years. Reports claim that the body was not reported "for fear the IRA had something to do with the death". However, it is claimed that officials decided not to exhume the body after it was reported.
A decision to exhume the remains was only made after the Belfast coroner uncovered details of the body in garda reports.
Arlene Arkinson's family have raised questions over why the body was not exhumed sooner, and whether or not the RUC – the PSNI was formerly known as the RUC – was ever informed about the discovery.
Speaking to the BBC, Kathleen Arkinson, said: "This was an obvious lead for those searching for Arlene and it's only coming out now.
"It makes me wonder how many other possible leads the Garda had and didn't share them.
"It only adds to the secrecy and mistrust which has surrounded Arlene's case from day one."
The inquest into the teenager's death is due to resume in Belfast on Monday.
Arlene (15), from Castlederg, disappeared in 1994 after a night out in County Donegal.
She was last seen in the company of convicted child killer Robert Howard who died in 2015.
He was acquitted of Arlene's murder, but remains the prime suspect in the case.
(MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 November 2024
Police Investigate Shooting Incident In L'Derry
Detectives are appealing for information after a young man was shot in the Creggan area on Wednesday night, November 27th. Shortly after 10:10 PM, police received a report that the man, in his late teens, had been shot in the leg. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Police Investigate Shooting Incident In L'Derry
Detectives are appealing for information after a young man was shot in the Creggan area on Wednesday night, November 27th. Shortly after 10:10 PM, police received a report that the man, in his late teens, had been shot in the leg. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
22 November 2024
Alliance 'Deeply Concerned' Over Pace Of HIA Redress Scheme
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the rate of progress on the redress scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse of children. The party's Executive Office spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw MLA, has called on the First and deputy First Minister (FMdFM) must meet victims and survivors urgently over memorialisation and other issues.
Alliance 'Deeply Concerned' Over Pace Of HIA Redress Scheme
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the rate of progress on the redress scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse of children. The party's Executive Office spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw MLA, has called on the First and deputy First Minister (FMdFM) must meet victims and survivors urgently over memorialisation and other issues.
27 June 2005
Man cleared of Arkinson murder
A man accused of murdering a schoolgirl who went missing 11-years-ago has been found not guilty. The jury at Belfast Crown Court acquitted Robert Howard formerly of Main Street in Castlederg, of killing 15-year-old Arlene Arkinson in 1994 when she disappeared.
Man cleared of Arkinson murder
A man accused of murdering a schoolgirl who went missing 11-years-ago has been found not guilty. The jury at Belfast Crown Court acquitted Robert Howard formerly of Main Street in Castlederg, of killing 15-year-old Arlene Arkinson in 1994 when she disappeared.
15 September 2003
Republican credibility damaged following threats says Foster
Ulster Unionist Party honorary secretary Arlene Foster has insisted that threats made by republican paramilitaries against Catholic members of the new community policing body are a major blow to Sinn Fein’s credibility.
Republican credibility damaged following threats says Foster
Ulster Unionist Party honorary secretary Arlene Foster has insisted that threats made by republican paramilitaries against Catholic members of the new community policing body are a major blow to Sinn Fein’s credibility.
28 October 2004
IMC hand second report to governments
The government has received a second report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) into ongoing paramilitary activity. Secretary of State Paul Murphy confirmed that he had received the report and that it would be “placed before parliament as soon as is practicable”.
IMC hand second report to governments
The government has received a second report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) into ongoing paramilitary activity. Secretary of State Paul Murphy confirmed that he had received the report and that it would be “placed before parliament as soon as is practicable”.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
