No evidence found in latest search for Lisa Dorrian in Co Down

By Brett Campbell

Police investigating the murder of Lisa Dorrian in county Down have ended their searches of the Clay Pits in Ballyhalbert.

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy of the PSNI' serious crime branch says officers found no evidence relating to Lisa or her disappearance.

The 25-year-old shop assistant from Bangor went missing in February 2005 and her remains have never been recovered.

DS Murphy said: “Despite several weeks of meticulous search activity by specialist divers and colleagues from the search and rescue team, Lisa’s body has not been found. 

"Lisa’s family have been informed and whilst they recognise and appreciate the work we have conducted, they are nevertheless devastated once more.

Police divers are carrying out fingertip searches in a number of ponds in the Clay Pits area of Ballyhalbert.

They’re looking for the body of missing Bangor woman Lisa Dorrian (25).

Her sister Joanne is at the scene and has mixed emotions. pic.twitter.com/hIoAOmy8xE

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 4, 2021

"For sixteen years, whoever disposed of Lisa’s body has denied her family a fundamental right, to bury Lisa with dignity and respect."

The senior policeman made this appeal to whoever was involved in disposing of Lisa’s body.

"Tell me where she is, so that I can finally give her family peace." 

"Knowing where Lisa is, will have been a heavy burden for individuals to carry for the past 16 years – not knowing where Lisa is has tortured her family and caused untold distress.

"All of that burden and pain can be resolved quickly, but I need those who have that crucial information to get it to me.

“Once again, the public response in Ballyhalbert and further afield has been astounding. Each time we conduct searches, we disrupt the life of that community, but the expressions of support and the willingness to provide information have once again come to the fore."

DS Murphy promised to keep working with the community in his quest to find Lisa and bring justice for her family.

"Whilst this phase of search activity has not taken us forward, I have restated our commitment to finding Lisa, to her family.

"We are steadfast in our collective determination and we have already begun the process of developing our next steps.

"I would like to place on record my thanks to the National Trust and local businesses for their unwavering support in the past few weeks.

 “I continue to appeal for those with direct knowledge of Lisa’s whereabouts to find a way to get that information to me, anonymously or via a third party if necessary." 

Anyone with information should call detectives on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.