A gun has been found at a Dublin site which is being searched as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Trevor Deely almost 17 years ago.

Gardaí began searching the three-acre site in Chapelizod at the weekend following new information that the 22-year-old was killed by a known criminal and buried in the woodland site.

The gun, which was recovered yesterday, was found in an area being searched by the banks of the River Liffey.

It has been taken to the ballistics unit to be forensically examined to see if there is any connection between it and Mr Deeley's disappearance.

The three acre site has been divided up into five zones of varying sizes.

The search of zone one, where the gun was found, has been completed and work on zone two began this morning.

Fingertip searches are being carried out before each area is cleared and then a digger is used to trawl through the earth. The search is being carried out under the guidance of a forensic archaeologist.

Mr Deely went missing while walking home in south Dublin following a Christmas party in December 2000.

Gardaí are investigating if he was killed by a known criminal whom he may have met by chance in the Baggot Street area.

Mr Deely's case was never closed and a new "cold case" team was set up last December to carry out a complete review of his disappearance.