A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder more than two decades after a 25-year-old woman ‘vanished without a trace’ in Ireland.

Lisa Dorrian from Bangor disappeared on February 27, 2005, after attending a party at Ballyhalbert Caravan Park.

Despite multiple large-scale search operations and desperate campaigning by her family, Ms Dorrian’s body has never been found.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have said they believe the 25-year-old was murdered that night or in the early hours of the following day.

The PSNI on Monday said its Major Investigation Team – which is investigating Ms Dorrian’s murder – had made an arrest.

It said a 68-year-old man was held on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders, withholding information and preventing a lawful and decent burial.

‘He remains in police custody at this time,’ it added.

Ulster Unionist justice spokesman Doug Beattie welcomed ‘significant progress’ in the investigation.

Lisa Dorrian from Bangor vanished on February 27, 2005, after attending a party at Ballyhalbert Caravan Park
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Lisa Dorrian from Bangor vanished on February 27, 2005, after attending a party at Ballyhalbert Caravan Park

On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, detectives made a renewed appeal for information and released CCTV images of her final few hours
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View gallery

On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, detectives made a renewed appeal for information and released CCTV images of her final few hours

‘This is an important step forward in a case that has caused unimaginable pain for Lisa’s family and friends for two decades,’ he said.

‘My thoughts remain firmly with her loved ones at this difficult time, and with all those across Northern Ireland still waiting for answers and the return of their loved ones.’

Speaking 20 years after she went missing, Lisa’s sister Joanne Dorrian said that their mother had passed away ‘never knowing what happened to her beautiful first-born daughter’.

‘Our family has never been the same since the day we got the news that Lisa went missing,’ she added.

On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, detectives made a renewed appeal for information and released CCTV images of her final few hours.

The video shows Lisa entering the Saltwater Brig pub in County Down on the afternoon of February 26.