The RUC today arrested a man (69) over the disappearance of two young boys who went missing in Belfast 27 years ago.
They also began digging up the back gardens of two houses in west Belfast.
Thomas Spence (11) and John Rodgers (13) vanished after failing to board a bus to St Aloysius School on November 26th, 1974.
Det Supt John Short said they had arrested a man, who had lived in west Belfast at the time the boys disappeared, on suspicion of murder.
"He is helping police with the investigation. He had been known to the police for a period of time," Mr Short said.
A specially trained RUC team with experts and a body recovery dog was flown in from Britain to begin digging up the back yards of two houses in Rodney Drive.
Mr Short said the current residents of the two houses had absolutely nothing to do with the case.
"I wish to place on record that the present residents of both addresses are completely innocent and have no connection with the disappearances. Unfortunately they have now been caught up in our investigation".
Speaking at a news conference in Belfast today RUC Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said the RUC were very keen to be as open about their operations as possible but conceded "in the end we may not find anything at these premises".
Det Supt Short said the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the two boys had always remained an active investigation. The last appeal for information was on the 26th anniversary of their disappearance.
PA