The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) has confirmed that fragments of human remains have been found at a site that it was investigating in Annyalla Cemetery, Co Monaghan.
The commission has said that following the recent exhumation at the cemetery outside Clontibret in relation to the search for Joe Lynskey, information came into its possession indicating another small area of interest was located within the confines of the cemetery.
This area of interest is not another family grave site.
In March, the ICLVR, commonly referred to as the Disappeared Commission, confirmed that human remains recovered from a family grave in the cemetery were not those of Joe Lynskey, who was abducted and murdered by the IRA more than 50 years ago.
Neither did they belong to any of the remaining members of the so-called 'Disappeared,’ a group of people abducted, murdered and secretly buried by republicans during the Troubles.
The State Pathologist has been notified of the latest discovery and the remains have now been taken away for technical examination.
Mr Lynskey, a former Cistercian monk and IRA member, was abducted and shot by his organisation in the summer of 1972.
He was only added to the list of the Disappeared in 2010.
The newly-appointed lead investigator of the ICLVR, Eamonn Henry confirmed the Lynskey family had been notified of the development but urged caution.
He said: "I want to emphasise that this information did not relate directly to the disappearance of Joe Lynskey and so until we have a positive identification or the elimination of the remains as those of Joe Lynskey or any of the other of the Disappeared we have to keep an open mind.
"We know only too well that the Lynskey family have had hopes raised before only to be bitterly disappointed and so, as ever, expectations have to be managed.
"The process of identification could take some time and we will continue to offer the family what support we can."
Mr Henry also renewed the appeal for information on all of the remaining Disappeared cases.
"Regardless of the outcome, this work at Annyalla shows that where we have credible information we will act on it.
"This week also marks the 48th anniversary (15 May) of the murder and secret burial of Robert Nairac.
"We need information on his and the other outstanding cases and anyone with information can be assured that it will be treated in the strictest confidence," he added.
Along with Mr Lynskey, the other listed members of the Disappeared still to be found are Columba McVeigh, Seamus Maguire and British soldier Robert Nairac.
Anyone with information on the four outstanding Disappeared cases can contact the ICLVR on 01 602 8655, by email to secretary@iclvr.ie or ICLVR PO Box 10827 Dublin, Ireland.
