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10/09/2001
Man arrested as police search for missing boys
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a police investigation into the disappearance of two schoolboys which took place more than 27 years ago.
A 69-year-old man was arrested on Monday morning as detectives continued their search of houses in Rodney Drive in west Belfast.
Leaflets distributed to the local community informed residents them that the search related to the disappearance of John Rodgers and Thomas Spence, who went missing in November 1974. The leaflets stated: “We have been informed that this search may yield nothing but that they are acting on information as a result of enquiries into the case of a convicted sex offender convicted some years back.”
Families living in the houses being investigated have moved out while police conduct their search.
An RUC spokesman stressed that the current occupants of the two houses are in no way “connected, implicated or suspected of anything”. The operation is set to last several days.
The two boys were both supposed to be on their way to St Aloysius School when they were last seen on the morning of 26 November 1974.
Neither boy arrived at school and both were reported missing the following day. (AMcE)
A 69-year-old man was arrested on Monday morning as detectives continued their search of houses in Rodney Drive in west Belfast.
Leaflets distributed to the local community informed residents them that the search related to the disappearance of John Rodgers and Thomas Spence, who went missing in November 1974. The leaflets stated: “We have been informed that this search may yield nothing but that they are acting on information as a result of enquiries into the case of a convicted sex offender convicted some years back.”
Families living in the houses being investigated have moved out while police conduct their search.
An RUC spokesman stressed that the current occupants of the two houses are in no way “connected, implicated or suspected of anything”. The operation is set to last several days.
The two boys were both supposed to be on their way to St Aloysius School when they were last seen on the morning of 26 November 1974.
Neither boy arrived at school and both were reported missing the following day. (AMcE)
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14 September 2001
Rodney Drive dig ends with no finds
Police have called off excavations at two houses in west Belfast that were part of a police investigation into the disappearance of two boys 27 years ago. Detectives said on Friday that nothing had been found at the houses at Rodney Drive in the Falls Road area.
Rodney Drive dig ends with no finds
Police have called off excavations at two houses in west Belfast that were part of a police investigation into the disappearance of two boys 27 years ago. Detectives said on Friday that nothing had been found at the houses at Rodney Drive in the Falls Road area.
12 September 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.
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.
11 September 2001
Search for missing boys enters critical stage
Specialist digging equipment is being deployed in the continuing excavation at two houses in west Belfast as part of a search for two boys who disappeared over 25 years ago. The search concerns two boys, John Rodgers (13) and Thomas Spence (11) who vanished on their way to school in November 1974.
Search for missing boys enters critical stage
Specialist digging equipment is being deployed in the continuing excavation at two houses in west Belfast as part of a search for two boys who disappeared over 25 years ago. The search concerns two boys, John Rodgers (13) and Thomas Spence (11) who vanished on their way to school in November 1974.
13 September 2001
New witnesses come forward in missing boys search
Police have said three witnesses have now come forward in their investigation into the disappearance of two Belfast boys 27 years ago.
New witnesses come forward in missing boys search
Police have said three witnesses have now come forward in their investigation into the disappearance of two Belfast boys 27 years ago.
25 November 2021
Trauma Informed Practice Training For NI's School System
A new training programme focusing on raising awareness of trauma and its potential impacts on children has been announced at Fane Street Primary School. The training provides an opportunity for the entire education sector workforce of approximately 60,000 staff members to improve their understanding of trauma.
Trauma Informed Practice Training For NI's School System
A new training programme focusing on raising awareness of trauma and its potential impacts on children has been announced at Fane Street Primary School. The training provides an opportunity for the entire education sector workforce of approximately 60,000 staff members to improve their understanding of trauma.
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