Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Fiona Pender have called off their excavation in the Slieve Bloom Mountains for the night.
Ms Pender, who is from Tullamore in Co Offaly, disappeared almost 11 years ago at the age of 25.
As yet, no evidence of human remains have been found but gardaí say the operation will continue as planned tomorrow morning.
The scene will remain sealed off over night.
Just after 5pm this evening the Garda Technical Bureau and local gardaí called off their excavation for the evening. One suspected grave has been fully excavated and nothing found.
The cross has been sent for forensic examination in a bid to determine its source
The search in woods outside Mountrath, Co Laois, is exploratory.
Earlier, Superintendent Kevin Donohue said sniffer dogs were used in the search to try to determine whether human remains were buried there.
Gardaí have confirmed that both locations are in close proximity to one another at an area known locally as The Cut.
It follows the discovery of a small wooden cross on Sunday evening with the name Fiona Pender written on it. The cross was around 2ft high and found by a couple out walking.
Supt Donohue said investigating officers did not want to reveal the detail of additional writing found on the cross, which has been removed for technical examination.
A Garda liaison officer has been in contact with the Pender family since the cross was discovered.
