GARDAI are carrying out DNA profiling on more than 100 men with records of sexual assaults in their search for Marilyn Rynn's murderer.
The detectives have so far worked their way through about half of the list, taking samples to compare with DNA evidence found on the body of the Dublin civil servant. The 50 or so men tested so far have been eliminated from inquiries.
The Garda can require suspects to provide samples for DNA testing under the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence) Act of 1990. This is the first time that such a large number of subjects has been tested.
Samples, including hair, blood or mouth swabs are taken by gardai and analysed in the Dublin Forensic Science Laboratory. The men, who all have all served sentences for sexual assaults, were all in Dublin at the time Ms Rynn was raped and strangled as she made her way home to Blanchardstown from a Christmas party on December 22nd last.
Ms Rynn's body was not found until two weeks after she had been murdered. But it is understood forensic scientists were still able to obtain DNA evidence from, the body which could help convict her murderer.
No strong evidence to point to a single suspect has emerged, although gardai are understood to be examining a report that two men had been drinking in a subway tunnel near the route Ms Rynn (41) took from the bus stop in Blanchardstown to her home.
Under the legislation allowing the screening of subjects for DNA profiling, the authorities must destroy the samples within six months if proceedings have not been instituted.
Among the men profiled is one who raped and strangled a girl in west Dublin in the early 1980s, and who has since been released after serving nine years in prison.