A major police search operation of the Newry Canal is linked to the abduction and murder of Armagh man, Gareth O'Connor, according to well-placed sources.
O'Connor, 24, disappeared two years ago after leaving his home to sign on at Dundalk garda station as part of his bail conditions. The father-of-two had been facing Real IRA membership charges.
The Provisional IRA is believed to have been behind his murder, although there has also been speculation of some Real IRA involvement.
Republicans believe he was a police informer, a claim his family denies. It is understood the police have received information that a car central to the murder investigation might be in the canal.
The underwater search unit of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) yesterday examined the waters. Heavy lifting gear was also brought in.
The PSNI would say only that the search operation was "part of an investigation into serous crime". The road between Newry and Omeath was closed as far as the Border. The search is expected to last for some time.
Last month, on the second anniversary of his disappearance, O'Connor's family appealed for the public's help in finding his body.
His mother Bernadette said: "None of us can grieve properly or try to move on until we have given him a proper burial. All we ask is that we are given our basic human rights."
"Gareth is gone, he has been taken away from us. But someone, somewhere can answer our prayers by helping us find his body. We just want our son back again, so we can bury him and visit his grave."
The officer in charge of the investigation, Det Supt Derek Williamson, last month said the murder inquiry remained active.
"I'm convinced, as the family are, that someone knows the answer to their prayers – that their son's body can be found," he said.
"I would ask that anyone with a conscience, anyone who knows anything at all, get in touch with either the police, the family or alternatively another respected member of the community."
In a statement, the IRA denied involvement but were blamed by Monsignor Denis Faul. O'Connor's father Mark stated: "The IRA say they know nothing – but they know everything.
"For a man in a car to go missing in south Armagh is impossible without the IRA being involved." Evidence later emerged in court that O'Connor had a close relationship with the PSNI Special Branch.
Clearing four Co Tyrone men last year of a Real IRA plot to murder police officers and British soldiers, Mr Justice Girvan said: "The role of Gareth O'Connor remains enigmatic as an informer playing an active role in liaison with the police".
