A SENIOR police officer involved in the search for the body of the missing Castlederg schoolgirl, Arlene Arkinson, said yesterday that the partner of her sister, Kathleen, was being questioned about the murder.

Arlene (15) was last seen alive in August 1994.

Supt Mervyn Hood told reporters at a press conference in Strabane RUC station that the search of Ms Kathleen Arkinson's garden and home at Drumnabbey Park in Spamount, about two miles from Castlederg, Co Tyrone, had ended.

Mr Steven Walsh, who lives with Ms Arkinson, was arrested by detectives at their home shortly before 9 a.m. yesterday.

"A man was arrested at the Arkinson house early this morning and he is helping us with our inquiries into the murder of Arlene Arkinson," said Supt Hood.

The search of the Arkinson home, which began last Wednesday morning, ended just before 1 p.m.

Supt Hood said that, although the schoolgirl's body was not found, other items found during the search were being examined by forensic scientists.

The police officer also defended the RUC's decision to dig up Ms Arkinson's garden and patio during the operation.

The Arkinson family and their solicitor, Mr John Fahy, had criticised the move.

"We recognise the distress that this investigation and search has caused to the wider Arkinson family and indeed to the local community. The decision to search Kathleen's home was a very difficult one to take, but we had to follow a line of inquiry which quite simply could not be ignored," Supt Hood said.

He said the public had given further assistance and added that the Arkinson home and gardens would be restored to their former condition.