Explosives have been found during the search for missing person Ciara Breen.

The teenager was 17 when she disappeared from her Dundalk home in 1997.

The army has been asked to assist in the latest search for Miss Breen at Balmers Bog, and today 61 soldiers took part in the operation.

During the search this afternoon, soldiers came across historical components for a bomb.

The scene was sealed off for the public's safety following the discovery, and a controlled explosion was carried out.

The Defence Forces say the items appeared to have been there for some time.

The scene was declared safe shortly after 6pm.