Dr Deirdre O’Flaherty

Gardaí in Milford are on the second day of an extensive search operation for the remains of Dr Deirdre O’Flaherty, who went missing in 2009.

Ms O’Flaherty (aged 46), a GP from Tyrone, disappeared in January 2009 while staying in Moville.

Gardaí began a land search and excavation in the Milford District on Tuesday as part of a missing persons inquiry. Sources have said this search marks no change of status regarding the case.

Ms O’Flaherty was declared dead in 2012 following a landmark High Court ruling in Belfast. The judge ruled that the court was satisfied that Dr O’Flaherty entered the sea in 2009.

Her car was found at Kinnego Beach and notes to her three children were found in the nearby family holiday home, the BBC reported.

This week’s search is being carried out by members of the Donegal Divisional Search Team and Garda Technical Bureau along with private contractors and is expected to last up to 5 days.

An Garda Síochána are liaising closely with the relevant family and a Garda family liaison officer has been appointed.