Gardaí have reportedly designated a woodland area that is being excavated in the search for Trevor Deely as a crime scene and not a search area.
According to The Irish Daily Star, Gardaí are confident that the Kildare man was buried at the site near Chapelizod in Dublin.
Excavation works began yesterday after Gardaí received new information that led them to the area.
Mr Deely has been missing for nearly 17 years.
He went missing after attending his work Christmas party on Friday December 8th 2000.
The then 22-year-old was last seen on CCTV footage crossing Baggot Street Bridge and heading towards Haddington Road in Dublin city centre.
Trevor Deely. Image: An Garda Síochána
Gardaí launched a complete review of the investigation last year – with a €100,000 reward on offer for any information relating to his whereabouts.
Crimestoppers renewed that appeal last night, noting that the reward is a once-off amount offered by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
Gardaí began clearing out the derelict three-acre woodland site on the banks of the river Liffey near Chapelizod on over the weekend.
The excavation work was set in motion after gardaí received information Mr Deely may have been shot and buried at the site by a well-known Dublin Criminal.
Gardaí believe the new information marks a significant breakthrough in the case.
