The search for the remains of one of the IRA "disappeared" in Co Monaghan is set to continue over the weekend, it emerged yesterday.
The digging operation at a bog at Bragan near Emyvale began on September 8th and was originally scheduled to last about five days. However, the hunt for the remains of Columba McVeigh, abducted and killed by the IRA in 1975, will be kept up over the weekend.
There was speculation that the search for the Tyrone teenager would be wound up yesterday, but the Garda indicated more time was needed.
Supt John Farrelly said yesterday that the extension was needed to confirm both to the Garda and the commission for the location of victims' remains that everything possible had been done.
"We do not have any hard information as to the possibility that his remains will be found there, but we're just going to finish it off to satisfy ourselves and the commission, right up to Sunday."
The weather has been a factor in delaying progress, but it is not thought to be a contributing factor in the decision to continue searching today and tomorrow.
It is understood that searching will continue in one or two specific locations within the overall search site.
There have been two previous digs at sites adjacent to Bragan, in 1999 and 2000.