'Human remains are not those of Ciara Breen' - Gardaí

By David Hunter and Iveren McCallion

It has been confirmed that remains found in County Louth are not those of missing teenager Ciara Breen.

The 17 year-old disappeared in February 1997.

Yesterday, skeletal remains were found at a house in Dundalk, a short distance from where she was last seen.

Builders who were renovating the property in Mary Street North, made the discovery shortly before 5pm yesterday evening after removing a tree in the back garden.

Last night, a forensic anthropologist confirmed that the remains found in the back garden of a house were human.

Garda Superintendent Gerry Curley said the remains are historical and the Natural Museum had been informed. 

Museum staff are now making their way to the property, which remains sealed off. 

It is understood curators will provide guidance on how to best recover the bones, and what should be done with them.

A forensic tent is preserving the spot in the back garden where 
the remains were discovered after a tree was removed.