New searches for missing schoolgirl's body

Fresh searches for a schoolgirl who went missing in the North in 1994 are to begin in the New Year, an inquest heard today.

Arlene Arkinson, 15, disappeared near her home in Castlederg, Co Tyrone, after attending a disco in Donegal with friends.

Murderer and sex offender Robert Howard was cleared of her killing five years ago.

A preliminary hearing of her inquest at Belfast Coroner’s Court opened today.

Solicitor for the police Mark Robinson told the hearing the investigation was continuing.

“There are planned searches for the beginning of the New Year within Northern Ireland,” he said.

A jury acquitted Howard, formerly of Main Street, Castlederg, of killing the teenager.

She vanished near her home after attending the night out in Bundoran in August 1994.

Extensive searches were carried out but no firm evidence of the girl being alive or dead has ever been found.

Coroner John Leckey held a preliminary hearing today as the first step towards the issuing of a death certificate.