Search for schoolgirl missing 10 years

Land near the home town of missing schoolgirl Arlene Arkinson was searched by police today.

Police said the hunt for the body of the 15-year-old from Castlederg, Co Tyrone, who disappeared nearly a decade ago had switched to a laneway close to fields on the Drumquin Road.

Inspector John Gilmore, who is in charge of the investigation, confirmed: “It is one of a number of search areas which have been identified.”

Two specialist dogs belonging to Strathclyde police are being used.

Arlene has never been traced after vanishing in August 1994 on her way home from a disco in Bundoran, Co Donegal.

A year ago a specialist dog search team from the Metropolitan Police was called in to help in a series of searches of land on the Tyrone-Donegal border.

Robert Howard, 59, is in custody awaiting trial for her murder.

The new search for Arlene was mounted at the same time as the hunt which led to yesterday’s recovery of the body of missing Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron, 65.

It was found by specialist recovery dogs from South Yorkshire police, buried in 18 inches of clay near the banks of a stream outside Sion Mills.

A post-mortem examination was being carried out today.

Mrs Harron, a retired librarian, disappeared last December on her way home from Mass in neighbouring Lifford, Co Donegal.

Student Trevor William Hamilton, 21, of Concess Road, Sion Mills, has been charged with her murder.