12/09/2001
Search for missing boys enters third day of excavations
Police have resumed their search for the remains of missing teenagers John Rodgers and Thomas Spence in what is the third day of excavations at two houses in Rodney Drive, West Belfast.
The search is now being extended to the interior of both houses, as part of an extensive investigation that will take in every room of the house, as well as the removal of floorboards in ground floor rooms.
On Monday, police removed some layers of concrete and tarmac in the back yards of the houses to gain access to lower levels. An area of concrete more than seven inches thick was encountered and heavy equipment is being used on the site. Rubble and other material was taken out from the back yards, as a team of forensic anthropologists and archaeologists continued their excavations.
A 69-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the disappearances was released on Tuesday evening. However, police have now said a new witness has come forward claiming to have seen the boys on the day they disappeared.
The two boys were last seen at around 9am on November 26 1974 after they failed to arrive at St Aloysius School in Belfast.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday 11 September, Detective Sergeant Mervyn Bryans said he hoped “the police could bring something home for the parents of the two boys” as soon as they possibly could. (CL)
The search is now being extended to the interior of both houses, as part of an extensive investigation that will take in every room of the house, as well as the removal of floorboards in ground floor rooms.
On Monday, police removed some layers of concrete and tarmac in the back yards of the houses to gain access to lower levels. An area of concrete more than seven inches thick was encountered and heavy equipment is being used on the site. Rubble and other material was taken out from the back yards, as a team of forensic anthropologists and archaeologists continued their excavations.
A 69-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the disappearances was released on Tuesday evening. However, police have now said a new witness has come forward claiming to have seen the boys on the day they disappeared.
The two boys were last seen at around 9am on November 26 1974 after they failed to arrive at St Aloysius School in Belfast.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday 11 September, Detective Sergeant Mervyn Bryans said he hoped “the police could bring something home for the parents of the two boys” as soon as they possibly could. (CL)
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