Ireland

Search for missing Ciara Breen continues in Dundalk

Efforts to find teenager who disappeared in 1997 have focused on secluded Balmer’s Bog

The scene at an area of wasteland near Dundalk Garda Station where gardaí are conducting a search in connection with the disappearance of Ciara Breen on February 13th, 1997. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.
The scene at an area of wasteland near Dundalk Garda Station where gardaí are conducting a search in connection with the disappearance of Ciara Breen on February 13th, 1997. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.
Ciaran D'Arcy in Dundalk
Wed Aug 19 2015 - 21:09

The search operation to locate missing woman Ciara Breen continued in Dundalk on Wednesday amid torrential conditions.

Tuesday’s media presence had largely dissipated as local gardaí, assisted by specialists from the Sub Aqua Unit and Technical Bureau, continued to cut back the overgrowth and wade through chest-deep water at Balmer’s Bog in the town.

Efforts have been focused on the secluded spot, which lies between two of the main roads into Dundalk and near the Garda and train stations, after investigators received a series of anonymous tip-offs following a renewed public appeal for information on the teenager’s disappearance in 1997.

The operation resumes on Thursday, and is expected to continue for a number of weeks as searchers comb a 16-acre patch of bog and disused scrubland.

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In light of the new information, gardaí have concentrated much of their activities in a zone near a bus depot on the Ardee Road, and two excavators continued to dig alongside a mobile cabin near the site entrance on Wednesday.

Ms Breen was 17 when she went missing from her home at Bachelor’s Walk on February 13th, 1997. Her mother, Bernadette, and other family members have repeatedly requested anyone with relevant information to come forward.