Sister of IRA murder victim ‘heartbroken’ as latest search ends

The sister of Columba McVeigh, who was murdered by the IRA and secretly buried 50 years ago, has said she is “absolutely heartbroken” after the most recent search for his remains ended without success.

The 19-year-old, from Donaghmore in County Tyrone, was killed in 1975 and is one of the 17 victims of the Troubles known as the Disappeared.

The latest search for Mr McVeigh’s remains had been taking place at Bragan Bog in County Monaghan since August, after a review of previous operations identified a new area to be excavated.

Dympna Kerr said despite the latest unsuccessful attempt she “still won’t give up hope”.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) had previously conducted six excavations of Bragan Bog and has covered more than 26 acres in their search for Mr McVeigh.

On Wednesday, the commission informed Mr McVeigh’s family the search had ended unsuccessfully.

Ms Kerr said she knew the search was coming to an end, and when she received the phone call, she asked outright if searchers had found her brother’s remains.

“I actually said: ‘Have you found him?’ – that was how confident I was this time,” she told BBC News NI’s Good Morning Ulster programme.

Mr McVeigh’s sister said the family had marked the 50th anniversary of his disappearance on 3 November, and that she was grateful for those who had given information which had led to the searches.

However, she added that families of the Disappeared were “running out of time”.

“They always tell us don’t build up too much but I can’t help it,” she said.

“Once they start searching I’m adamant that they’re going to find him.

“This year I kept telling myself we’ll find him, this is my Christmas present this year. It’s not, is it?”

She urged anyone who wants to “clear their conscience” to come forward so the family are freed from their “torture chamber”.

“18,310 days. That’s a long time to hold the secret isn’t it?”

Eamonn Henry, the lead investigator for the ICLVR, said that it was “devastating news” for the McVeigh family.

Mr Henry said it was “heartbreaking” to tell the family about the latest development, but that they remain positive about finding Mr McVeigh.

“I just wish it was now rather than further down the line.”

Speaking to Good Morning Ulster, Mr Henry said the ICLVR will be following up recent information it has received in the new year.

“Based on information received that he was actually buried in a different part of Bragan Bog, we’re now exploring that information in relation to another possible location,” he added.

Mr Henry said the suspected location is close to where recent searches have taken place.

Mr Henry said they continued to believe the information they were working on had been given in good faith, but urged those who many have information to contact them as it could be the “missing piece of the puzzle”.

He said the commission would not stop until the four remaining Disappeared – Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey, Capt Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire – were found.

Last month, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn met members of the McVeigh family at Bragan Bog, and he urged anyone with information about Mr McVeigh’s remains to come forward.

On Wednesday, Benn said Columba’s family had endured an “unimaginable burden”.

He acknowledged “the diligence and determination” of the commission, as well as the “painstaking and sensitive work” of the investigators, forensic archaeologists and the search teams.

“Today, my thoughts are with the family of Columba who have endured this unimaginable burden for so many years, and who only recently marked the 50th anniversary of his death.”

He said the government remained committed to the work of the ICLVR.

Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said when the commission began the latest search in August, he had hoped that Columba McVeigh’s family “would finally have the solace of being able to lay him to rest.”

“I am disappointed that, in spite of the continued efforts of the commission, Columba’s remains have not been located at Bragan Bog, County Monaghan.”

The minister added the ICLVR’s role was a “critical, humanitarian one” that the Irish government remained “fully committed” to supporting.

The Disappeared are those who were abducted, murdered and secretly buried by republicans during Northern Ireland’s Troubles.

The remains of four of the 17 have yet to be found.

As well as Mr McVeigh, the ICLVR is still working on the cases of Joe Lynskey, Capt Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire.

Mr Henry said that anyone with information on any of the four outstanding cases should contact the ICLVR and all information would be treated with the strictest confidence.