Bog searched again for remains of IRA murder victim

Columba McVeigh, 19, was kidnapped in 1975

Investigators attempting to find the remains of a man the IRA murdered and secretly buried 50 years ago are searching a small area of bogland in County Monaghan.

It follows a review of a previous search for the remains of Columba McVeigh, which ended at Bragan Bog in 2023.

The 19-year-old, from Donaghmore in County Tyrone, was murdered in 1975.

He is one of 17 victims of the troubles known as the Disappeared.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) has previously conducted six searches of the bog since 1999, covering more than 26 acres.

It has described the latest search as "a continuation" of its last dig.

It is not believed to be acting on any new information and is examining an area which has not been excavated before.

The search began on 18 August and is expected to last another three weeks.

The operation was due to have taken place six months ago, but was delayed as protected hen harriers were nesting in the area.

Mr McVeigh's brother, Oliver, said: "Every time they're digging and searching for him in that particular area is an opportunity to find him."

He appealed for anyone who had information to come forward and said the latest search had been in the planning for months.

"I hope he's found this time and we get him into the burial ground in Donaghmore [County Tyrone]," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"Hope never fades."

He said he had made his mother a promise before she died that he would give her murdered son a proper burial, and he intended to keep that promise.

"We don't want him to be lying in a bog for 50 years anonymously, or maybe another 50 years anonymously.

"It was a horrible crime and a horrible thing to do.

"We've got over all that but it can be put right by finding his body."

The Disappeared were people abducted and murdered by republican paramilitaries, and then buried at secret locations.

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.