AS the RUC yesterday completed the second day of its search for the body of missing Co Tyrone schoolgirl, Arlene Arkinson, a solicitor for the girl's sister accused the police of victimisation.
Police officers using heavy lifting equipment yesterday continued their inch by inch search of Ms Kathleen Arkinson's garden.
Drilling equipment was used to dig up a patio at the rear of Ms Arkinson's Drumnabbey Park home at Spamount, about two miles from Castlederg.
Arlene lived with her sister Kathleen until she disappeared after attending a disco in Bundoran, Co Donegal, in August officers supervising the search operation say they believe the schoolgirl was murdered and that the garden search was aimed at locating the 15 year old's body.
Ms Arkinson, a mother of four, spent several hours yesterday afternoon shopping in Castlederg as the search continued. It was the first time she had been allowed to leave the precincts of her home since the search started at 6.00 a.m. on Wednesday.
"The police know who killed Arlene," said Ms Arkinson.
"I did not kill Arlene. I'm the main suspect as well. I have nothing to do with Arlene's death. There's no way they'll find anything in my house. They can knock the house down, but they'll find nothing.
"Anyone who thinks I would do anything to my own sister sick. The person who is supposed to have given the police information which has led to this is sick."
"I'm going up the town to hold my head high because I've nothing to hide," she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Arkinson's solicitor, Mr John Fahy, said the police actions victimised his client.
"I feel that bearing in mind what this family has gone through over the last 18 months since Arlene disappeared, it is ridiculous that the police should move into this situation apparently on the basis of information.
"I would have thought if they had sufficient information they should be wishing to make an arrest.
"My client was effectively held under house arrest on Wednesday. She was effectively given the option of sitting in her home or sitting in a police station.
"I do not know what the quality of the police information is or what the source is, but it will have to be very good to take the type of action that they are now taking.
"The Arkinson family has already suffered extensively as a result of the disappearance of this girl. Kathleen is the person who has constantly been doing the running to the police to find out what action has been taken by them to find the culprit.
"Now she feels herself to be the victim of the police action. This is unfair.
"To be told as she was on the first day that she could not leave her home and that her children, could be taken into care if she did was wrong," said Mr Fahy.
A senior officer involved in the search said that a warrant was produced to Ms Arkinson when officers first arrived at her home.
"We have a warrant to search the premises. The warrant is in connection with the Police and Criminal Evidence Order," he said.
The officer said the search was expected to continue today.