A man suspected to have been involved in the drugs trade and other serious crime is being linked to the disappearance of Trevor Deely 17 years ago.
The missing 22-year-old may have been killed by a known criminal and buried at a Chapelizod site that is being excavated as part of a renewed search based on a tip-off.
The identity of the suspect came to detectives attention when new technology was able to enhance CCTV from the night Trevor Deely went missing.
Newstalk reporter Sean Defoe says there are some unconfirmed reports about the individual talking to Mr Deely in the CCTV footage.
He said: "It's believed that it is a known criminal from Dublin, from the Crumlin area in particular, and one who may have been involved in a prostitution ring, although that isn't fully confirmed yet.
"It is unlikely that Mr Deely knew this person, it was more of a chance encounter on the night, and that's where we go back to the CCTV footage that came out."
The scene where gardaí are carrying out an excavation in the search for Trevor Deely pic.twitter.com/veHewUefOS
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) August 14, 2017
Crimestoppers say the €100,000 reward for information on Trevor Deely is still on offer.
Gardaí are excavating a site in Chapelizod in Dublin in the search for the 22-year-old, who has been missing since December 2000.
Crimestoppers is encouraging anyone with any information to get in touch annonymously via their phoneline.
Any significant details which assist the investigation will be considered for the reward.
The investigation is underway after newly enhanced CCTV footage showed Mr Deely talking to a man dressed in black outside of Bank of Ireland on Baggot Street.
Gardaí are understood not to believe that Mr Deely knew the man prior to this encounter.
CCTV cameras have been installed around the perimeter where Gardaí are digging for the body of missing Trevor Deely.
A large digger and industrial waste bins were on the land after initial clearance and geophysical analysis took place.
The three acre patch of overgrown scrubland and woodland, surrounded by eight feet high walls, remained cordoned off.
Gates at one entrance have been covered with black plastic sheets and a fence is being erected inside the search site.
Gardaí have begun digging an area in Dublin as part of the search for missing man Trevor Deely.
The dig is taking place in a derelict, woodland site which the gardaí have sealed off.
The excavation work on the site in Chapelizod comes after gardaí received information that Trevor Deely may have been shot and buried at the site by a known criminal.
Large bins seen entering the site for the search of Trevor Deely. pic.twitter.com/TMfC2oK8s7
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley_) August 14, 2017
Railings around the site have been covered in black plastic sheeting and a number of detectives have been coming and going from the site this morning.
Gardaí believe their new information may be a significant breakthrough in the case
Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Trevor Deely will begin excavating the search site in Chapelizod in Dublin today.
Gardaí launched the search on Saturday after receiving new information relating to the Kildare man, who has been missing for nearly 17 years.
Garda dig due to start this morning in Chapelizod where officers believe they have a lead in Trevor Deely case pic.twitter.com/AEVjrUmAgd
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) August 14, 2017
Gardaí spent the weekend clearing overgrowth and mapping out relevant areas in a woodland by the banks of the River Liffey.
Gardaí are also investigating if a known criminal is linked to the disappearance of the missing bank employee.
The investigation is underway after newly enhanced CCTV footage showed Mr Deely talking to a man dressed in black outside of Bank of Ireland on Baggot Street.
Gardaí are understood not to believe that Mr Deely knew the man prior to this encounter.
Detectives are hoping the search will lead to the possible discovery of a body.