A renewed appeal has been made over four men and a woman secretly murdered and buried by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland who remain missing.
Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac, Seamus Maguire and Lisa Dorrian will be remembered at the 20th annual All Souls Silent Walk for the Disappeared at Stormont on Monday.
Their families will walk from Carson’s Statue to the steps of Parliament Buildings to lay the black wreath with five white lilies representing those who have yet to be found.
Prayers and family contributions
Father Joe Gormley will lead prayers, and there will be contributions from family members.
It is expected that Rosalie Flanagan, commissioner on the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR), will attend along with Eamonn Henry, lead investigator of the ICLVR.
The ICLVR’s search for Mr Maguire continues at Derryclone near Lurgan.
Some 17 people were designated as disappeared, and 13 have been found.
While Ms Dorrian’s disappearance came in 2005, outside the remit of the ICLVR, which can only take cases from before April 10 1998, Wave includes her as one of the Disappeared.
Wave Trauma Centre's plea
Dr Sandra Peake, chief executive of Wave Trauma Centre, which organises the annual event and has supported the Families of the Disappeared since 1995, said: “Today, 20 years on from that first walk to the steps of Parliament Buildings, there are still five white lilies in the wreath.
“There is a process in place through the ICLVR that has worked and every successful search over the years has brought hope that the torment of the families can finally be brought to an end.
“But each passing year takes its toll as everyone grows older.
“It is especially difficult for those still waiting but the resolve of all of the families of the Disappeared to see the remains of those yet to be found to be returned to their loved ones for Christian burial is undiminished.
“Our thoughts and prayers today will especially be with the Maguire family as the search for Seamus continues at Derryclone near Lurgan.”
Just over a year ago the latest search for Mr McVeigh at Bragan Bog, Co Monaghan ended without success.
Family resolve and appeal for information
Ms McVeigh’s sister Dympna is travelling from her home in England to walk with the other families.
She said they would not rest until all the Disappeared were found.
She said: “As long as I am able I’ll walk with those whose support over so many difficult years has meant more to me and our family than I can say and we’ll not rest until all of the Disappeared are found and returned home.
“There are people who have the information that the ICLVR needs to finish its work.
“Please look into your hearts and do what you know is right to bring an end to our suffering.”
Anyone with information on any of the four outstanding ICLVR Disappeared cases should contact the ICLVR.
All information is treated in the strictest confidence.
The ICLVR can be contacted by telephone: +353 1 602 8655, by email to [email protected], and by post to: ICLVR PO Box 10827.
Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 and the untraceable online form is at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Anyone with information about Ms Dorrian should call the detectives working on the case on 101 or they can provide information without leaving their name or giving their details through Crimestoppers.
