Gardaí to search park in Dublin for three weeks after possible breakthrough in probe into man's death

Latest 6.30pm: Gardaí have begun digging in a Dublin park for the remains of a convicted rapist who vanished over six years ago.

Garda Superintendent Liam Carolan described the site, Tolka Valley Park in Finglas, as an "area of interest".

An arm, later forensically identified as that of James Nolan, was discovered on Dublin's Dollymount Beach in 2011.

Speaking at the scene, Superintendent Carolan said: "A Garda investigation has continued on since then. Recent information has come into our possession indicating that this particular part of Tolka Valley in Finglas is an area of interest.

"From this morning Garda are commencing a significant operation in Tolka Valley Park.

"We are asking the public if they have any information relating to this investigation to contact us ... A family liaison officer is in contact with the Nolan family and they have been appraised of this morning's operation."

Earlier: Gardaí are conducting a search in North Dublin following a possible breakthrough in their investigation into the death of James Nolan.

It is understood Gardaí are carrying out excavations in a public park in the Finglas area.

The inquiry into Mr Nolan's death began in 2011 when one of his arms was washed up on Dollymount beach in Dublin.

The Dubliner had previously served 14 years in jail for rape and false imprisonment.

Gardaí have cordoned off an area around the North Road Gate to allow for a search, which includes a cadavre dog and a forensic archeologist, over the next three weeks.