The skeleton remains of a baby have been found in a building undergoing renovation, it emerged tonight.
It is understood that the remains were found in the building on the promenade of the coastal town of Portstewart in Co Derry.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) would only confirm that an investigation has been launched following the discovery of human remains.
It is believed, however, the find centres on a death thought to date back decades.
There are claims that newspaper discovered with the infant's remains dated back to the
1930s.
A representative for the area, the SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat, said the quiet
coastal town would be shocked by the discovery.
"We don't know what tragedy lies behind this, but the fact that it possibly dates back more than 60 years does not diminish the sadness of this," he said.
"Who knows what sad story might lie behind the discovery.
"Whatever the sad circumstances, it would be appropriate now that the child receives the Christian burial it did not receive after its death and is allowed to rest in peace."
The scene of the discovery is close to a nightclub where, in an unrelated case, a man was killed last week. Three people have been charged over his death.
Mr Dallat said the discovery of human remains on the same stretch of promenade would
shock the seaside town.
He added: "The community will be shocked by this latest development."
A PSNI spokesman said: “Police are investigating the discovery of what are suspected to be human remains in the Portstewart area.”
PA