12/11/2008

Search Continues For Human Remains In Wicklow

Mechanical diggers are being used to aid forensic scientists who are still working at the site near Blessington in Co Wicklow where human remains were found earlier this week.

A large Gardaí forensic tent covers the dig area which is under round-the-clock armed protection by police officers.

The remains are suspected to by those of missing 19-year-old Belfast man Danny McIlhone who disappeared from west Belfast in 1981.

Joint-Chair of the Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains, Frank Murray, said those working on the site are dedicated and hopeful of being able to help the McIlhone family by finding the rest of the body.

However, it will be some time before forensic DNA tests that have being carried out to confirm identification will yield any news.

The same site had been searched for his remains in 1999 and 2000.

Searches are currently carried out under the authority of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains which tries to find the bodies of people murdered and secretly buried by the IRA.

(BMcC)

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