31/08/2011
Search For Arlene Resumes In Tyrone
Detectives investigating the murder of teenager Arlene Arkinson - who disappeared over 17 years ago - began a new series of searches today with the twin objectives of recovering the schoolgirl's remains and progressing the investigation.
The PSNI has pledged to do all they can to recover the body of Arlene Arkinson, from Castlederg in Co Tyrone, who was 15 when she disappeared after a night out in Bundoran, Co Donegal. The PSNI believe her to have been abducted and murdered.
During the probe, a convicted child-killer and rapist, Robert Howard, now 77, was charged with her murder - but was acquitted.
Now, a team of officers using specialist PSNI search dogs have begun the first phase of this latest operation on land at Scraghy Road between Castlederg and Ederney where Arlene was last seen in the early hours of 14 August 1994.
A PSNI statement today said: "This is the first phase of a co-ordinated search strategy which will be progressed at a number of locations in the Castlederg area and beyond over the coming months.
"Plans have been drawn up to cover a large number of sites which have links to the overall investigation into Arlene's disappearance and murder.
"Searches will be conducted on a planned roll-out, depending on weather conditions, availability of resources and operational commitments."
The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Superintendent Raymond Murray, said today: "On a personal level, Arlene's family has been in torment for 17 years.
"We want to do everything we possibly can to reunite Arlene with her family.
"Arlene's sisters and brothers have suffered for too long. Despite the considerable time gap and the challenges involved in locating remains, we will do everything we possibly can to achieve this.
"On a policing level, the recovery of remains may represent a significant opportunity to progress the investigation, as knowledge of any remains or the location of a body deposition site may provide evidence to further our enquiries," he said, adding that the police want to thank landowners, in the public and private sectors, for their co-operation with the search operations which will be conducted in the coming weeks and months.
Superintendent Murray continued: "Arlene disappeared near her home in Castlederg after attending a disco in Bundoran.
"The police investigation has been extensive and there has been a court case but I would not rule out the possibility that there is information in the local community which still has not been provided to detectives.
"This may be for a variety of reasons: people may not have had confidence in police all those years ago or they may have been frightened for other reasons.
"I want to assure anyone with information that they can talk to detectives who will engage with them sensitively and professionally," he added, "Even after all these years I would make three specific appeals to the public.
"Did anyone see a blue Metro car in the area of Scraghy Road in the early hours of 14 August 1994?
"Did anyone see any suspicious activity during the early hours of 14 August in the wider Scraghy/Castlederg area?
"Did anyone see Arlene in Castlederg in the early hours of the 14 August?"
The senior detective said "we owe it to Arlene and to her family to do our utmost to bring her home and to bring her killer to justice".
Police have opened a special telephone line for members of the community who want to provide information as the search resumes for Arlene Arkinson's remains. The incident room number is 02871 379793.
(BMcC/GK)
The PSNI has pledged to do all they can to recover the body of Arlene Arkinson, from Castlederg in Co Tyrone, who was 15 when she disappeared after a night out in Bundoran, Co Donegal. The PSNI believe her to have been abducted and murdered.
During the probe, a convicted child-killer and rapist, Robert Howard, now 77, was charged with her murder - but was acquitted.
Now, a team of officers using specialist PSNI search dogs have begun the first phase of this latest operation on land at Scraghy Road between Castlederg and Ederney where Arlene was last seen in the early hours of 14 August 1994.
A PSNI statement today said: "This is the first phase of a co-ordinated search strategy which will be progressed at a number of locations in the Castlederg area and beyond over the coming months.
"Plans have been drawn up to cover a large number of sites which have links to the overall investigation into Arlene's disappearance and murder.
"Searches will be conducted on a planned roll-out, depending on weather conditions, availability of resources and operational commitments."
The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Superintendent Raymond Murray, said today: "On a personal level, Arlene's family has been in torment for 17 years.
"We want to do everything we possibly can to reunite Arlene with her family.
"Arlene's sisters and brothers have suffered for too long. Despite the considerable time gap and the challenges involved in locating remains, we will do everything we possibly can to achieve this.
"On a policing level, the recovery of remains may represent a significant opportunity to progress the investigation, as knowledge of any remains or the location of a body deposition site may provide evidence to further our enquiries," he said, adding that the police want to thank landowners, in the public and private sectors, for their co-operation with the search operations which will be conducted in the coming weeks and months.
Superintendent Murray continued: "Arlene disappeared near her home in Castlederg after attending a disco in Bundoran.
"The police investigation has been extensive and there has been a court case but I would not rule out the possibility that there is information in the local community which still has not been provided to detectives.
"This may be for a variety of reasons: people may not have had confidence in police all those years ago or they may have been frightened for other reasons.
"I want to assure anyone with information that they can talk to detectives who will engage with them sensitively and professionally," he added, "Even after all these years I would make three specific appeals to the public.
"Did anyone see a blue Metro car in the area of Scraghy Road in the early hours of 14 August 1994?
"Did anyone see any suspicious activity during the early hours of 14 August in the wider Scraghy/Castlederg area?
"Did anyone see Arlene in Castlederg in the early hours of the 14 August?"
The senior detective said "we owe it to Arlene and to her family to do our utmost to bring her home and to bring her killer to justice".
Police have opened a special telephone line for members of the community who want to provide information as the search resumes for Arlene Arkinson's remains. The incident room number is 02871 379793.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 March 2024
New Cost-Of-Living Support For NI Community Groups
New funding has been announced to support 287 Voluntary and Community organisations across Northern Ireland, funded through Department for Communities Voluntary & Community Division (V&CD) and Community Empowerment Division (CED).
New Cost-Of-Living Support For NI Community Groups
New funding has been announced to support 287 Voluntary and Community organisations across Northern Ireland, funded through Department for Communities Voluntary & Community Division (V&CD) and Community Empowerment Division (CED).
25 March 2024
Four Die In Fatal Collision In Armagh In Early Hours Of 24 March
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a fatal collision in Armagh in the early hours of Sunday, 24 March. A driver and three passengers died when the grey Volkswagen Golf they were travelling in crashed on the Ballynahonemore Road at around 2.10am.
Four Die In Fatal Collision In Armagh In Early Hours Of 24 March
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a fatal collision in Armagh in the early hours of Sunday, 24 March. A driver and three passengers died when the grey Volkswagen Golf they were travelling in crashed on the Ballynahonemore Road at around 2.10am.
09 February 2024
PPS To Prosecute Former Soldier For Murder Of Patrick McVeigh In 1972
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has issued a decision to seek prosecutions against four former Military Reaction Force (MRF) soldiers in connection with six incidents over 50 years ago.
PPS To Prosecute Former Soldier For Murder Of Patrick McVeigh In 1972
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has issued a decision to seek prosecutions against four former Military Reaction Force (MRF) soldiers in connection with six incidents over 50 years ago.
05 February 2024
Limavady Murder Victim Named As 17-Year-Old Blake Newland
A 17-year-old boy murdered in a stabbing in Limavady on Friday, 02 February has been named by the PSNI as Blake Newland. At around 9.35pm last Friday night, police responded to a report that a man, aged his 50s, has been stabbed in an incident in the Limavady area.
Limavady Murder Victim Named As 17-Year-Old Blake Newland
A 17-year-old boy murdered in a stabbing in Limavady on Friday, 02 February has been named by the PSNI as Blake Newland. At around 9.35pm last Friday night, police responded to a report that a man, aged his 50s, has been stabbed in an incident in the Limavady area.
14 March 2024
Two Men Jailed For 'Horrific And Callous' Murder Of Roy Reynolds
Two men have been jailed at Belfast Crown Court in connection with the "horrific and callous" murder of Roy Reynolds in County Antrim in 2022. Michael Campbell, 34, was handed a life sentence last December after pleading guilty to Mr Reynold's murder.
Two Men Jailed For 'Horrific And Callous' Murder Of Roy Reynolds
Two men have been jailed at Belfast Crown Court in connection with the "horrific and callous" murder of Roy Reynolds in County Antrim in 2022. Michael Campbell, 34, was handed a life sentence last December after pleading guilty to Mr Reynold's murder.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with further outbreaks of rain this morning, heavy at times, especially over north Antrim. Becoming drier and brighter this afternoon with sunny spells and a few showers. Winds becoming light. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Further showers this evening, some heavy, especially in the east, dying out early tonight. Then mainly dry with clear periods developing, leading to a touch of frost and icy patches. Minimum temperature -1 °C.