A 48 year old man has appeared in court in Mayo charged with the murder of Sandra Collins in December 2000.

Martin Earley from Banagher, Carrowmore Lacken in Co Mayo has appeared at a special sitting today of Ballina District court.

He's been remanded in custody to appear again next Friday.

29-year-old Sandra Collins was last seen in the Killala area of Co Mayo 12 years ago, and her body has never been found.

Tom Sheil of the Connacht Telegraph says the victim's family was in court today.