family brochureThe latest search to find the remains of Columba McVeigh, murdered by the IRA and secretly buried 50 years ago, has ended without success.
The 19-year-old, from Donaghmore, County Tyrone, was murdered in 1975. He is one of 17 victims of the riots known as the Missing.
The latest search for Mr McVeigh’s remains had been underway in Bragan Bog, County Monaghan, since August, after a review of previous operations identified a new area to dig.
The Independent Commission for the Locating of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) had previously carried out six excavations in Bragan Bog and has covered more than 26 acres in its search for Mr McVeigh.
‘Our hearts are with them’
On Wednesday, the ICLVR said the McVeigh family had been informed that the most recent search had ended without success.
Eamonn Henry, senior investigator at ICLVR, said it was “devastating news” for the McVeigh family so close to the 50th anniversary of her disappearance.
Henry said it was “heartbreaking” to tell the family about the latest development, but they remain positive about finding Mr McVeigh.
“I just wish it was now and not later.”
Speaking to BBC News NI’s Good Morning Ulster programme, Henry said the ICLVR will follow up on any 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 are now exploring that information in relation to another possible location,” he added.
Henry said the suspected location is near where recent searches were conducted.
ICLVR ‘fully committed to searching for Columba’
Seven searches have been carried out in the Bragan Bog area for Mr McVeigh’s remains.
Henry said they continued to believe the information they were working on had been provided in good faith, but urged those with information to contact them as it could be the “missing piece of the puzzle”.
“We’re not done in Bragan Bog,” added Mr Henry.
He said the commission would not stop until the four remaining missing people – Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey, Captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire – were found.
“That is our mission and we are working on behalf of the families, so until we find the four missing victims, we will not stop working.”
Last month, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn met members of the McVeigh family in Bragan Bog and urged anyone with information about McVeigh’s remains to come forward.
On Wednesday, Benn said Columba’s family had borne an “unimaginable burden.”
“I would like to thank the commission’s diligence and determination in locating Columba since the first search was carried out in Bragan Bog in 1999, as well as the investigators, forensic archaeologists and search teams for their thorough and sensitive work,” he added.
“Today, my thoughts are with Columba’s family, who have borne this unimaginable burden for so many years and who recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of her death.”
He said the government remained committed to the work of the ICLVR.
Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that when the commission began its latest search in August, he hoped Columba McVeigh’s family would “finally have the consolation of being able to bury her.”
“I am disappointed that, despite the commission’s continued efforts, Columba’s remains have not been located in Bragan Bog, County Monaghan.”
The minister added that the ICLVR’s role was “critical and humanitarian” and the Irish Government remained “fully committed” to supporting it.
Who are the missing?
The missing are those who were kidnapped, murdered and secretly buried by republicans during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The remains of four of the 17 have yet to be found.
In addition to Mr McVeigh, the ICLVR continues to work on the cases of Joe Lynskey, Captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire.
Henry said anyone with information about any of the four pending cases should contact the ICLVR and all information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
