Disappeared's sister's 'hope' as new search continues

Columba McVeigh, 19, was kidnapped in 1975

The sister of one of the Disappeared, Columba McVeigh, has said she still has hope her brother will be found.

On Friday Dympna Kerr visited a County Monaghan bog where a new search for the 19-year-old's remains is taking place.

Mr McVeigh, from Donaghmore in County Tyrone, was abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1975 and his body secretly buried.

A new search began at Bragan Bog earlier this month, after investigators conducted a review of the last hunt for his remains, which ended in 2023.

More than 26 acres of bog have been excavated in the course of six searches since 1999.

Saturday marks International Day of the Disappeared - a day to remember those who have disappeared globally.

'I just want him found'

Ms Kerr's visit on Friday coincided with an event at the site remembering the Disappeared.

She said she was feeling "every emotion under the sun" while visiting the site.

"I'm happy that there's a search team out there looking for Columba," she said.

"I'm sad because just think what they're searching for, they're searching for my brother's remains.

"It's very sad that it's nearly 50 years this year and that Columba's still lying in a bog."

Ms Kerr said she struggles to imagine Mr McVeigh being taken to the bog, and all the family wants is to find her brother so his remains can be put into the family grave.

"I just want him found."

Ms Kerr, pictured here in April 2023, visited the part of the bog where a search ended without success

Ms Kerr was joined at the event by relatives of other Disappeared victims, including Maria Lynskey, whose uncle, Joe Lynskey, was murdered by the IRA in 1972.

The event occurs annually and marks the international day of the Disappeared.

Ms Lynskey said it was her second visit to the bog, and said it was "horrific" to think about anyone being taken to the remote location.

"I just think it's a horrible place," she said.

"For Dympna and the McVeighs to come here and look around and think of a 19 year old boy being absolutely terrified... why would anybody even want to do this? It's cruel."

Families anguish 'unimaginable'

Northern Ireland Secretary Hillary Benn said his thoughts were with "the McVeigh family and all those whose loved ones were abducted, brutally murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles" on International Day of the Disappeared.

"Decades on, their anguish at not being able to lay their loved ones to rest is unimaginable, and their dignity and perseverance is humbling," he added.

He praised the "tireless work" of the the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR).

Benn urged those with information to come forward "in confidence so that these families can find the closure that they have desperately sought for so long".

Five crosses were placed at Bragan Bog to mark each of the Disappeared who are still missing - including Lisa Dorrian

On Friday, a short religious service took place on a verge overlooking the vast area of bogland.

Prayers were led by Fr Joe Gormley.

Five white crosses were placed in the ground - one for each of the four Disappeared whose remains have not yet been recovered, and one for Lisa Dorrian, who went missing in 2005 and is believed to have been murdered.

Fr Gormley appealed to those who have information about the location of the remains to come forward so families can get closure.

"The families have no hatred for anybody, they just want their loved ones home," he said.

"People done things that they shouldn't have done in those times, we just pray that they'll be able to have the courage to come forward."

The event was organised by victims' group WAVE.

It supports Ms Dorrian's relatives, even though her case is not included in the remit of the ICLVR.

Her body has not been located following her murder in 2005.

Who were the Disappeared?

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.