Searches have resumed this morning in the east of the county for the remains of Arlene Arkinson.
Gardaí cordoned off several areas of the remote Ballybobaneen Forest in Glenfin on Monday morning, when a specialist garda search team and diggers moved in.
The operation comes shortly after the 30th anniversary of the disappearance of the 15-year-old from Castlederg, County Tyrone, in August 1994 after a night out in Bundoran.
A spokesperson for the Garda Press Office confirmed to Donegal Daily that “searches have been ongoing in the area” but declined to comment further.
Arlene’s sister, Kathleen Akinson, said the family were aware of the latest development and commended Gardaí for their efforts.
There is a 24-hour garda presence at the entrance to the forest and it is understood the searches will continue until at least the end of this week, depending on the weather.
Locals have expressed shock after becoming aware of the operation, but were united in hope that the Arkinson family will finally find a proper resting place for Arlene.
One of the search sites at Ballybobaneen Forest in Glenfin.
In July 2021, an inquest found she was murdered by convicted child killer and rapist Robert Howard, who died in 2015.
Howard had previously been charged with her murder in 2002, but acquitted in 2005.
Numerous searches, including some in vast swathes of bogland and forestry near the Donegal border, have been carried out over the years in search of Arlene’s remains.
One of the last searches was conducted by Gardai in May of this year in the Castlefin area, however, nothing was found.
Speaking ahead of a 30th anniversary vigil last month, Kathleen Arkinson said her sister deserved “to be found and get a decent burial.”
Heartbroken Kathleen said she believed deep in her heart that “some day Arlene will be found”.
She said she had mixed emotions ahead of the memorial in her sister’s memory.
“One day I’m alright, the next I’m not – I just can’t believe it’s been 30 years,” she said.
“I’m thinking about Arlene and that night – I know she suffered, but I just wish I could’ve taken the pain.”
“[Robert] Howard killed Arlene, but he also killed a part of us as well,” she added.
An inquest in 2021 found Robert Howard, who died in 2015, murdered Arlene Arkinson
Howard was the last person seen with Arlene Arkinson before her disappearance.
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