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Donegal search for Arlene Arkinson's body ends

PA media Arlene ArkinsonPA media
Arlene Arkinson was 15 when went she went missing in 1994

Searches in the Republic of Ireland for the body of County Tyrone teenager Arlene Arkinson have ended for now, gardaí (Irish police) have said.

The 15-year-old, from Castlederg, disappeared in August 1994 after a night out in Bundoran, County Donegal.

Searches, which began last week, were carried out in Glenfin in County Donegal.

Police have since confirmed on Tuesday that "no further searches are taking place" at this time.

In July 2021, an inquest found she was murdered by convicted child killer and rapist Robert Howard, who died in 2015. He had previously been charged with her murder in 2002 but acquitted in 2005.

Memorial stone dedicated to Arlene Arkinson
A vigil was held in Castlederg to remember murdered teenager Arlene Arkinson in August

Numerous searches have been carried out over the years, but the teenager's body has never been found.

A vigil was held in August to mark 30 years since her disappearance.

At the time, the family's solicitor Des Doherty urged Justice Minister Naomi Long to reconsider her decision not to call a public inquiry into police investigation into her disappearance.

Mr Doherty said the Arkinson family had been left in a "legal void" and that new information could come to light in a public inquiry.