Arkinson family go through "emotional" week after searches

The family of missing teenager Arlene Arkinson have endured an "emotional week", a court heard yesterday.

After fresh searches for the Castlederg teen ended without success last Friday, a court was told yesterday of the emotions her relatives have experienced in the past week.

Despite those renewed searches ending in failure last week - Arlene's family are said to remain optimisitic she will one day be found.

As the inquest into her disappearance resumed in Belfast yesterday, fresh details of digs near Killen in County Tyrone were read out in court.

Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said specialists had examined two separate sites - neither of which concealed anything suspicious.

"The area of concern was a low mound roughly the shape and size you expect a grave to be. The mound was covered with stones which appeared to originate from a nearby dry stone wall," he said.

"The actual excavation of the site took place on Friday September 16 and the experts concluded that no human remains were present."
Another area of disturbed ground was also ruled out, the court was told," he added.

"When they were present at the scene they indicated another area, close by, where at some point soil may have been disturbed. The scene was held for a further day and this too was excavated. It was discovered to be an old septic tank. Nothing suspicious was discovered at either of the excavation sites and I directed that the scene be closed and the operation brought to an end," he concluded.

The searches were triggered by farmer Noel Doherty, who reported the piece of disturbed land to police - sparking the search. 

It's understood his cattle had become agitated at that particular part of the field. Mr. Doherty was lauded both by the police and by Judge Brian Sherrard for reporting his suspicions.

During the hearing, it also emerged that Irish Police had now been given the go-ahead to co-operate with the inquest.

That's after Irish Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald made legal changes authorising the sharing of information.

Legal teams from both sides of the border will now meet in the next fortnight - to discuss what, if any evidence, Garda officers can contribute.

The inquest has been adjourned until the seventh of October.