A fresh effort to locate the body of a teenager murdered and secretly buried during the Northern Ireland Troubles has concluded without success, dealing a devastating blow to his family.
Exhaustive Search of Monaghan Bog
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) has finished its latest operation at Bragan Bog in County Monaghan, close to the border with Northern Ireland. The team meticulously examined a vast 26-acre area of the remote peatland in the hope of finding Columba McVeigh.
Mr McVeigh, a 19-year-old from Donaghmore in County Tyrone, was abducted, killed and made to 'disappear' by the IRA back in 1975. His family has endured five decades of uncertainty, unable to lay their loved one to rest.
Heartbreak for the McVeigh Family
Lead Investigator Eamonn Henry described the outcome as "devastating" news for the McVeighs, coming just weeks after the 50th anniversary of Columba's disappearance. "Our hearts go out to them," he stated.
"Everyone involved in the search including the ICLVR investigators, the forensic archaeologists and the contractors who operate the machinery are bitterly disappointed and share the frustration of the McVeigh family that yet another search of the bog has ended in this way," Mr Henry added.
Commission's Unwavering Commitment
Despite this setback, the ICLVR stressed it still believes the information that led them to Bragan Bog was given in good faith. Mr Henry acknowledged that "clearly there is still something missing" from the intelligence.
He gave a firm assurance: "I can assure the McVeigh family and the other families of the Disappeared who give them invaluable support that the commission remains fully committed to finding Columba and we will not rest until his remains are returned and he receives the Christian burial that he has been denied for far too long."
The ICLVR has so far recovered the bodies of 11 out of the 17 people officially recognised as 'The Disappeared'. Those still missing include:
- Former monk Joe Lynskey
- Captain Robert Nairac
- Seamus Maguire from County Armagh
The commission has renewed its appeal for confidential information. All tips are treated with the strictest confidence and can be provided via:
- Telephone: +353 1 602 8655
- Email: Secretary@iclvr.ie
- Post: ICLVR PO Box 10827
