The family of Pauline Finlay, who disappeared in Co Wexford 22 years ago, has been told her body has possibly been buried unidentified in a grave in Wales for over two decades.

Ms Finlay has been missing, believed drowned, since March 1994.

Police in Wales now believe an unidentified body washed up on the coast near Holyhead in October of that year may be that of Ms Finlay.

The 49-year-old disappeared while walking her dogs on a beach near Kilmuckridge in Co Wexford.

It was believed she drowned in an accident but her body was never found.

In recent months North Wales police investigating 17 unidentified bodies in their district contacted gardaí in the belief some of those bodies could be Irish citizens.

Among the cases is that of a woman whose body was washed up on the Welsh coast at Aberfrow south of Holyhead in October 1994, eight months after Ms Finlay disappeared.

A DNA comparison has now been carried out between Ms Finlay's family and the unidentified woman's body.

Police have told the Finlay family there is a strong indication the body is that of their loved one but an inquest must now be held for a formal identification to be made.

Members of the Finlay family will travel to Wales in the coming weeks to meet police and visit the grave which may contain the remains of Ms Finlay.