The family of Jean McConville have said they do not expect the search at Templetown beach, Co Louth, for her remains to stop in the immediate future.
"We do not believe they will close the dig here and if they do local people have said they will continue it with diggers," said her son, Jim.
Former Tanaiste John Wilson visited members of the McConville family at Templetown beach yesterday and indicated to them that it would be the last site to be closed.
Mr Wilson, chairman of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains, visited all six locations yesterday.
Reacting to speculation that the searches are being reassessed with a view to stopping excavations at three locations, Mr McConville added: "It means nothing to us because we are still here every day. If they do stop here without taking away the [partly constructed] toilets and the rest of the car-park, then we will start shouting. John Wilson indicated to us that we will be the last one to close because they are more positive about this one; that keeps our hopes up."
Another son, Robert, was 17 when he last saw his mother. He is also keeping vigil at the beach. "Every day you're living in hope. Every day you come here it's a new beginning. I feel as if I belong here, it's like an attraction . . . the past 27 years has been all speculation and Easter this year was the first time the IRA admitted killing my mother and then on May 29th they said this was where her remains were situated. This is where I have been going for the past 27 years, this [waiting] is like living that 27 years all over again."
Agnes McConville says she is beginning to feel disheartened. "Naturally enough every child wants to bury its mother and pay respect, that is all we have left in life. She was a good mother to us, I just wish the searching would end on the beach."