Human remains were recovered from a lake in Co Sligo yesterday by gardaí investigating the disappearance of a teenager almost 18 months ago.
Melissa Mahon (14) from Rathbraughan Park, Sligo, has been missing from her home since September 13th, 2006.
Gardaí renewed their search efforts in the case almost two weeks ago following the release of new information regarding the teenager's disappearance.
The girl who provided this information is currently in the care of the HSE.
The recent search has focused on the Parkes Castle area of Lough Gill, Co Sligo.
Garda sub-aqua teams have been diving in the lake, which is about two kilometres from Dromahair, Co Leitrim, in search of the girl's body.
Initially, the search was called off for a number of days due to poor weather and visibility problems but it resumed in recent days.
A Garda spokesman yesterday said it was too early to say whether the remains they had discovered were those of Melissa.
The spokesman said identification of the body, which has been sent away for analysis, was likely to take a considerable period of time.
"In the meantime Garda investigations into the circumstances surrounding the discovery are continuing," he said.
It was thought at the time of her disappearance that Melissa might have gone to England, where the Mahon family had previously lived.
However, this resulted in no leads and in spite of appeals regarding her disappearance which were featured in newspapers and on the RTÉ Crimecall programme, the teenager has not been seen since.
The decision to renew the search came amid reports that detectives were investigating a claim the teenager may have been murdered and her body dumped in the lough.