Gardai have brought in pumps to try to drain bogland in Co Monaghan where the remains of two men killed by the IRA are believed to be buried.
The logistics of draining about 40 square metres of land at Colgagh in Co Monaghan, near the village of Cullaville in Co Armagh, proved more difficult than anticipated. Progress was described by a garda at the scene as "very slow and laborious."
The last location to be identified yesterday as a burial place for one of the "disappeared" was also in Co Monaghan - bogland at The Bragan close to Tedvanet, near Emyvale. Gardai were brought there yesterday afternoon by a member of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. An initial examination of the scene began last night. A second double grave is said to be in a large section of Coghalstown Wood, five miles north of Navan, in Co Meath. The wood, which is used by Wilkinstown Gun Club, does not appear to be more than 30 to 35 years old, but it contains a lot of dead wood and gardai have indicated it could take some time to locate remains there.
A single grave in Oristown bog, about four miles from Kells, in Co Meath, also presents difficulties. It is only a few miles from Coghalstown, and the land is level, but the bog extends over approximately 2,000 acres. A section has been sealed off by gardai who are to examine the area today to decide on an approach. The family of the man believed buried in the bog was due to travel from Belfast to visit the scene last night.