Body found in Attracta search

Attracta Harron was last seen walking to Mass

Detectives investigating the murder of County Tyrone pensioner Attracta Harron have discovered a body.

Specialist search teams discovered the remains buried underground in countryside near Sion Mills.

Mrs Harron, 65, from Strabane, disappeared on 11 December 2003 while returning from Mass in Lifford, County Donegal.

Her body has never been found despite extensive police searches and a reconstruction of her movements on the day she went missing.

On Monday afternoon, remains were found hidden under the ground, close to a stream at Concess Road, a rural area about a mile from Sion Mills.

Detective Inspector John Gilmore, who is leading the investigation into the murder of Mrs Harron, said it was too early to say if the body was male or female.

Specialist search teams found the body hidden underground

"As a result of intensive searches conducted here today, we've recovered a body which has been concealed under the ground," he said.

"The remains have now been recovered and taken to Forster Green Hospital in Belfast.

"A post mortem examination will be conducted tomorrow."

The area around Concess Road has been cordoned off by police and forensic tests are being carried out.

The operation was part of a planned search by PSNI officers, involving colleagues from South Yorkshire police and a specialist dog team.

Extensive searches have already taken place in Strabane and Lifford, as well as Sion Mills.

Fourteen detectives have been assigned to Mrs Harron's case.

They have been working closely with Gardai across the border in County Donegal.

A man has been charged with Mrs Harron's murder.