Body of teenager found in Mansfield quarry confirmed as missing Ciaran Sweeney

27/09/13

Picture shows press call at the Oak Tree Heath, Mansfield with Chief Inspector Paul Winter.
The Force is investigating any new sightings with the highest priority and speaking to friends and neighbours. Officers will today be visiting Ciaran's school friends from the Samworth Church Academy, in Mansfield, and their families, and seek consent to search their homes. Extensive house to house enquires will also continue in the Oak Tree Lane Estate particularly focusing on properties in the vicinity of 'The Heathers'. We will seek the consent of occupants to allow searches of their houses / gardens and outbuildings. Viv Preece, vice principal of Samworth Church Academy, said: "Ciaran has been with the Samworth Church Academy since 2010 and he has maintained 100 per cent attendance since his time here. He is an extremely pleasant, academically bright, hardworking student. Ciaran has excelled outside of the classroom in playing rugby and outdoor pursuits. He is a keen and adventurous young man who would l — 27/09/13 Picture shows press call at the Oak Tree Heath, Mansfield with Chief Inspector Paul Winter. The Force is investigating any new sightings with the highest priority and speaking to friends and neighbours. Officers will today be visiting Ciaran's school friends from the Samworth Church Academy, in Mansfield, and their families, and seek consent to search their homes. Extensive house to house enquires will also continue in the Oak Tree Lane Estate particularly focusing on properties in the vicinity of 'The Heathers'. We will seek the consent of occupants to allow searches of their houses / gardens and outbuildings. Viv Preece, vice principal of Samworth Church Academy, said: "Ciaran has been with the Samworth Church Academy since 2010 and he has maintained 100 per cent attendance since his time here. He is an extremely pleasant, academically bright, hardworking student. Ciaran has excelled outside of the classroom in playing rugby and outdoor pursuits. He is a keen and adventurous young man who would l

Nottinghamshire Police’s Underwater Search Unit found Ciaran’s body at about 10.15am on 1st October during a search of an expanse of water at Ratcher Hill Quarry, in Southwell Road.

The 14-year-old’s body was found after being reported missing from his home in the Oak Tree Lane Estate in Mansfield on 14th September.

Ciaran’s disappearance sparked a large scale search operation aided by hundreds of members of the local community and his school, the Samworth Church Academy.

A post-mortem examination has taken place but the full results are expected to take several weeks to be established.

Nottinghamshire Police said it is now working with its partners and the Coroner to investigate the full circumstances around Ciaran’s death, in preparation for an inquest to take place.

In a joint statement Ciaran’s mum Rheane O’Neill and step-mum Tanya Poulton said: “Ciaran was a typical 14-year-old boy. He loved watching television, particularly Top Gear, and survival programmes although he wasn’t the type to go off into the wilderness himself.

“The last few weeks have been unbearable and then to not have found Ciaran alive is the worst thing any family could face. Our comfort has been the support of all of our family, neighbours and community who have helped us search for him.”

Chief Inspector Paul Winter said: “This is a case that has deeply affected both the Mansfield and the wider Nottinghamshire community.

“On behalf of the Force I’d like to thank the public for all of their help with the search for Ciaran. The response to our appeals for information was overwhelming and the sight of so many posters in people’s windows and cars was a clear demonstration of a community united by the desire to find him. I am only sorry that it has had such a tragic ending.”