A letter providing fresh information to Gardai is behind a search for the body of Dr Deirdre O’Flaherty almost a decade after her disappearance.
Officers in Donegal have begun a dig at bog land between Rathmullan and Kerrykeel which is expected to last five days.
Dr O'Flaherty (46), who was originally from west Belfast but was working as a doctor in Strabane, Co Tyrone, was legally declared dead in 2012 three years after she went missing, presumed drowned
The Irish News understands that Gardai received a letter from a member of the public claiming to know the location of her body.
Dr O'Flaherty and her husband, Ken, also a GP, had a holiday home near Kinnego Bay in Inishowen close to her husband’s native Moville.
Dr O’Flaherty - who also used her maiden name, Donnelly - went missing on the morning of January 11 2009. Her silver BMW SUV was discovered at Kinnego Bay with the keys still in the ignition and a pair of her sandals at the car’s pedals. Her medical bag was still in the car.
A huge land and sea search was launched but there was no sign of the mother of three.
Her family later organised a 'Running for Rescue' event to raise money for rescue agencies.
The event, on what would have been her 51st birthday, was supported by groups throughout the north west and her native Belfast, including St Paul’s GAC.
In 2012, the High Court heard that three cards were left for her children stating “I will always love you xx Mum” and her wedding and engagement rings were left at her home as well as her mobile phone. Dr O’Flaherty’s credit cards and bank accounts have remained untouched since she went missing.
Using the Presumption of Death Act 2009, Mr Justice Deeny noted Dr O'Flaherty had previously suffered and received treatment for depression.
And he added: "I do find that this lady has died. I find that she died on 11 January 2009 between 9am and 11am, having entered the sea at Kinnego Beach, County Donegal and subsequently drowned."
Confirming the new excavation, a Garda spokesman said: “The search will be 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 five days.
“This development continues to form part of a missing person investigation and there is no change of status regarding same.”
A number of Gardai moved onto the site with a mini-digger on Monday morning. The area is popular with walkers in the Milford area of the Fanad Peninsula.
