Gardai resumed their search for the secret grave of IRA murder victim Ms Jean McConville on Templetown beach in Co Louth yesterday morning.
It was one of six searches that began again yesterday at various locations around the country. The decision to dig again was made after the IRA provided additional information on each location.
Two intermediaries passed the information on to the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. As he visited each of the locations yesterday, Commissioner John Wilson said he was "cautious and hopeful" about recovering the remains of the disappeared.
Gardai are also searching for the bodies of Mr Danny McIlhone at Lagan in Co Wicklow; Mr Columba McVeigh near Emyvale in Co Monaghan; Mr Brendan Megrew at Oristown bog in Co Meath; and for a double grave at Coghalstown Wood in Co Meath, for Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee.
"Optimistic is a dangerous word, cautious and hopeful are the two words I would take in the circumstances. We are dedicated to the search and hope for the sake of the families that something will result from it," Mr Wilson said.
It is likely to take three weeks to excavate the new locations at each site. The fresh digs will focus on areas of about 400 square metres.
Searches were suspended last July after 50 days of digging without success at the five sites. However, at a sixth site at Colgagh in Co Monaghan gardai found the bodies of Mr John McClory and Mr Brian McKinney in a double grave.
Gardai had been about to call off the searches when additional information led them to find that grave.
At Templetown beach yesterday, members of Mrs McConville's family gathered and said they intended to remain on the site as the excavations continue.
"It seems hard to say I believe what the IRA is telling us but I think this time they are telling what they know to be the truth, and I believe they have questioned everyone who was involved with burying the remains and it is just finding the body really," daughter Mrs Helen McKendry said.
"I will stay here because I think inside my head and my heart that I need to be here if her remains are found to prove (these) are my mother's remains," she added.
About 50 gardai are taking part in the 12-hours-a-day searches.