Det Supt Jason Murphy with members of the Dorrian family

DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team are using new technology to try to find the body of murdered Lisa Dorrian, a senior police officer has said.

Detective Supt Jason Murphy revealed the new detail during the second of a search beside the caravan park in Ballyhalbert where Ms Dorrian was last seen alive in February 2005.

Detectives believe the 25-year-old was murdered and her body disposed of.

Det Supt Murphy said the determination of the PSNI to bring those who killed Lisa to justice was as strong as ever.

“The purpose of the search operation is two-fold: Firstly I want to recover Lisa’s body and allow the Dorrian family to finally put Lisa to rest,” he said.

“And secondly I am looking for evidence relating to her disappearance. Searches are also taking place at a number of other locations.

“Lisa’s family has also visited the scene of the search today to appeal to anyone with information to come forward.”

Det Supt Murphy said police had received new information, but he did not want to discuss what this was.

He said the new searches were also taking place after months of planning involving the PSNI and National Crime Agency.

Det Supt Murphy said there was nothing to suggest that Ms Dorrian’s murder had been pre-planned, nor that the disposal of her body had been pre-planned.

As a result, he said police believed her body was still in Ballyhalbert.

The search also includes a disused airfield behind the caravan park, and will take in a number of other areas.

“The technology and the thinking has simply developed. What we’re able to do in 2019 simply wasn’t able to be done in 2005,” Det Supt Murphy said.

“The searches I’m looking to conduct over the next few days on this site specifically relate to voids under the ground.

“As a result of this being a disused airfield from 1945 there may be voids under the ground into which Lisa’s body may have been deposited which couldn’t previously be found because the technology simply didn’t exist.”

Ms Dorrian’s sister Joanne said what had happened to her sister had ruined the family’s lives.

“People can’t imagine what this feels like, they can’t imagine what it feels like not knowing where she is,” she said.

Missing Lisa Dorrian who police believe was murdered 14 years ago

“My mum passed away a few years ago and she never got the answers that she needed. It has ruined her life and it has ruined our lives, none of us have been the same ever since this has happened.”

She added: “To think that Lisa could be here where we are today, it’s just so hard to imagine.

“We’re grateful for everything the police are doing to find Lisa and to give her what she deserves.”

Anyone with information about Lisa Dorrian’s whereabout and her killers is asked to ring detectives on the 101 number.

Alternatively information can be passed in confidence to Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111.