The remains of a woman who was murdered more than 30 years ago have been reinterred in a graveyard in Co Kilkenny following an examination at University Hospital Waterford.
Family members of mother-of-two Marie Tierney gathered at Conahy Graveyard for the reinterring.
They were joined by local curates and gardaí. Prayers were said at the graveside in a short ceremony.
Ms Tierney was reported missing by her husband Jim on 22 October 1984.
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The 34-year-old ran a grocery store and petrol station at Clinstown, Jenkinstown, Co Kilkenny with her husband.
Gardaí were told she left her home at approximately 10.30pm on 21 October in the family car, a Renault 18.
The car was located at Newpark Fen the following day.
On 21 December 1984, her body was found in a ditch by a man walking on the Bleach Road on the outskirts of Kilkenny City.
She had been strangled.
Her brother John Bourke said today that "everything has to be done" in the hunt for her killer.
Gardaí, along with a family liaison officer, will meet Ms Tierney's siblings to brief them on the progress of the investigation.
Ms Tierney's sister Breda Fay, along with her brother, urged whoever killed her to "do the right thing" and "hand yourself in".
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"We strongly believe that her murderer is alive. You know who you are and we are asking you to please come forward.
"Hand yourself in for the sake of her children, her grandchildren and all her family. We need justice for Marie," they said.
Anyone with information can contact Kilkenny Garda station on 056-7775000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Gardaí began work this morning at Conahy Graveyard and Ms Tierney's remains were taken to University Hospital Waterford where a post-mortem examination took place.
Conahy graveyard this afternoon pic.twitter.com/SMYMiei8wb
— Damien Tiernan (@damienrte) October 31, 2018
Advanced scientific developments are expected to allow officers gather evidence that will be crucial to prosecuting the killer.
New witnesses have also come forward during the cold case investigation, which started last December.
The exhumation of bodies involves a complex application process and is only allowed in the rarest of circumstances.
Investigating gardaí had to apply to Kilkenny County Council for a licence for the process and a Ministerial Order was also required and granted by the Department of Justice.
