Thomas 'Tucker' McConville: Son of Jean McConville dies

Thomas 'Tucker' McConville, son of IRA murder victim Jean McConville, died in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital

Tributes have been paid to a son of Jean McConville, one of the Disappeared, who has died aged 59.

Thomas 'Tucker' McConville, whose mother was murdered by the IRA in 1972, passed away on Wednesday in hospital after a short illness.

He is the fourth member of the family to die in recent years.

Dr Sandra Peake, CEO of Troubles victims' support group the Wave Trauma Centre, said his death was "another tragic blow" for the family.

She recalled Mr McConville's commitment to the centre's garden in Belfast, often tending to a hawthorn tree he chose to mark his mother's 80th birthday.

"While working in the garden and doing the fund raising marathon walks with Wave were good times for Tucker like others in the family, what happened to his mother irreparably damaged his life," she said.

Thomas 'Tucker' McConville (l) is pictured in 2018 with brother James

Ms McConville's murder "destroyed" the children's childhood and blighted the rest of their lives, Dr Peake continued.

"Tucker's death following so closely on Billy, Agnes and Archie is another tragic blow to a family whose suffering is almost beyond endurance".

Mr McConville died on the 52nd anniversary of his father Arthur's death in 1972.

His funeral is due to take place in St John's Parish in west Belfast on Tuesday 9 January.

'Sorely missed'

Anne Morgan, whose brother Seamus Ruddy was abducted and murdered by republican paramilitary group the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), described Mr McConville as a "gentle soul".

"He always had time for everyone," she said.

"He was someone who wanted to help people and lessen their load.

"He will be sorely missed."

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Ms McConville, a widow and mother-of-10, was taken by the IRA from her home in the Divis Flats in December 1972.

She is considered one of the Disappeared - those who were abducted, murdered and secretly buried by republicans during the Troubles.

In 2003, after numerous searches, her remains were found at a beach in County Louth in August 2003.

Gardaí (Irish police) confirmed that she had died from a bullet wound to the head.