William Maughan’s parents have made a new appeal for information about what happened to their son and his girlfriend Anastasija Varslavane.

The couple was last seen on April 14, 2015.

On Friday, Gardaí (Irish police) investigating the couple’s disappearance and murder launched a new search across open fields in north County Dublin.

“Hopefully today will be the day we get William and Anna back,” Helen Maughan told Irish broadcaster RTÉ. “Let’s close.”

The search at Rings Commons began this week After a cadaver dog located a specific section of swamp land.

Ms Maughan said she hoped the call would give the family answers and bring closure to the matter.

“It’s been nine years and things have changed. I would ask (anyone with information) to just look at myself, Joe and my family and pass on even the smallest information,” he said.

“It may not mean much to them, but it will mean a lot to us and the police. Let’s close it up.

“I pray to God that I can pick up my child today and give him a Christian burial.”

The couple praised Gardaí for their work in the long-running investigation.

“Over the last nine years gardaí have never given up,” Joe Maughan said.

“They’re there when we need them, they’re there when we don’t, doing their thing in the background.”

On the day they disappeared, Mr Maughan and Ms Varslavane were in the process of moving from their caravan in County Meath to the family home in Tallaght, County Dublin.

They took a taxi together from Balbriggan to Gormanston, where they were collected by William’s mother.

But they were not there when Mrs. Maughan came to collect them.

Mr Maughan’s mother became concerned and reported them both missing.

An extensive missing person investigation was launched and in September 2016 Gardaí announced they were treating the case as a murder.

The case was converted into a murder investigation after an investigation in September 2016.

Gardaí have again appealed for anyone with information regarding the couple’s disappearance and murder to contact them.