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Disappeared (Northern Ireland)

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Main articles: The Troubles and Forced disappearance

The Disappeared refers to 19 people from Northern Ireland believed to have been abducted, murdered and secretly buried,[1] the large majority of which occurred during the Troubles. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) is in charge of locating the remaining bodies,[2] and was led by forensic archaeologist John McIlwaine.[3]

Background

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Of the 17 people investigated by the ICLVR,[4] all were Irish Catholics (Jean McConville was a convert), all except Jean McConville were male, and all are believed to have been abducted and killed by Irish Republicans.[5][6][7]

The Provisional IRA admitted to being involved in the forced disappearance of nine of the Disappeared: Eamon Molloy, Seamus Wright, Kevin McKee, Jean McConville, Columba McVeigh, Brendan Megraw, John McClory, Brian McKinney, and Danny McIlhone. British Army officer Robert Nairac, who disappeared from South Armagh, was a Mauritius-born Roman Catholic.[8][9] The organisation said they could only accurately locate the body of one of their victims, but gave rough ideas for the remaining eight.[10][11]

As of March 2025, the remains of four of the victims have still not been found.

History

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1970s

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Joseph Lynskey (40), a veteran Irish Republican paramilitary and IRA member from Cavendish Street in Belfast, disappeared during a violent internal IRA feud in the city in August 1972. In 2009 Dolours Price, a former IRA member, stated in an interview with a newspaper that she drove the car which took him out of Northern Ireland to an IRA safe house in County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland shortly before his disappearance. In January 2010 the IRA issued a statement that Lynskey had been killed as part of an internal disciplinary process, and his body had subsequently been buried in an unmarked grave. The Irish Indo Daily podcast on 3 December 2024, entitled, Joe Lynskey: The monk who joined the IRA and was 'disappeared’ over trying to kill his love rival, gives an update on the Lynskey case. On May 16, 2025, it was announced that human remains were discovered at a cemetery in Annyalla, County Monaghan, during the search for Lynskey. The remains are now undergoing forensic examination.[12]

Jean McConville (37), a widowed mother of ten, disappeared in December 1972 after being abducted from her home in Belfast by the Provisional IRA, who accused her of acting as an informer for the British Army.[13] This allegation was later found to be unsubstantiated by official investigations.[14] It was later revealed that she was murdered, executed by a single gunshot to the back of the head, and secretly buried.[15] Her remains were discovered 31 years later, in August 2003 on Shelling Hill Beach in County Louth, Republic of Ireland.[16] On November 1, 2003, a Requiem Mass was held at St Paul’s Church in Belfast, followed by a funeral procession that paused at Divis Flats, where she had been taken. She was then laid to rest at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Lisburn alongside her husband, Arthur, in a funeral attended by her family and the wider community.[17] In October 2014, a man was arrested in connection with her murder, and two further men were arrested in December 2014.[18][19] While some suspects, including former IRA member Dolours Price, admitted involvement, no one has been convicted and the case remains unresolved.[20][21]

Peter Wilson (21) was a native of West Belfast and one of six siblings. He was described by those who knew him as a vulnerable individual with learning difficulties. In the summer of 1973, Wilson was abducted by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in the St James area of Belfast, a neighborhood known at the time for intense conflict during the Troubles.[22] He was suspected by the IRA of acting as an informer for British security forces.[23] Following his abduction, he was killed and his body was secretly buried at Waterfoot, County Antrim. His remains were discovered there in 2010, approximately 37 years later.[22] A funeral service was held on December 17, 2010, at Holy Cross Church, Belfast, near his home on St James Road. Family, friends, and community members gathered to pay their respects during the Requiem Mass. Following the service, he was laid to rest at Milltown Cemetery beside his parents.[24] An inquest was held on March 11, 2011, at Belfast Coroner’s Court, concluding that Wilson died from four gunshot wounds to the back of the head.[25]

Columba McVeigh (19) from Donaghmore, County Tyrone, disappeared on 31 October 1975, while living in Dublin, he was abducted by the Irish Republican Army (IRA). They suspected he had been acting as an informer for British security forces.[26] After his disappearance, McVeigh was killed and is believed to have been secretly buried in Bragan Bog, County Monaghan. Although six significant search operations have taken place since 1999, spanning over 26 acres, his remains have yet to be recovered.[27] The latest search, which concluded in November 2023, was hindered by challenging terrain and unfavourable weather conditions.[28] His sister, Dympna Kerr, remains hopeful and continues to seek any information that could lead to the discovery of his remains, allowing for a proper burial alongside their parents in Donaghmore.[27]

Brendan Megraw (23) was abducted by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) from his home in Twinbrook, Belfast, on April 8, 1978.[29] At the time of his disappearance, he was newly married, and his wife was expecting their first child.[30][31] On the morning of his abduction, a group of men entered his home, restrained his pregnant wife, and administered an injection they claimed would keep her calm. When he returned home, he was taken by the men and was never seen again.[32] On October 1, 2014, discovered in a drainage ditch at Oristown Bog, County Meath, which were confirmed through DNA testing in early November 2014 to be his.[33][34] His remains were returned to his family. A funeral service was held on November 14, 2014, at St Oliver Plunkett Church, West Belfast. Following the service, he was buried alongside his parents at St Joseph's Cemetery in Glenavy, County Antrim.[35] An inquest held in December 2015 determined that he had died from a gunshot wound to the forehead.[36]

Gerard Evans (24) was a man from Crossmaglen, South Armagh, who disappeared while hitchhiking home from a dance in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, in March 1979.[37] He was thought to have been abducted and murdered by the Provisional IRA, though nobody ever publicly took responsibility.[38] According to a masked man identifying himself as a former member of the Provisional IRA South Armagh Brigade, Evans was abducted and executed shortly afterwards. The same source told the Sunday Tribune that Evans was killed for being an informer, though this claim was never publicly acknowledged by the IRA.[39] In March 2008, Evans’ aunt received an anonymous map indicating a potential burial site, leading the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) to launch a search. The commission followed the new lead, which eventually led to the discovery of human remains in a bog at Carrickrobbin, near Hackballcross in County Louth in October 2010.[40] Forensic examination confirmed in November 2010 that the remains belonged to Evans.[41] His funeral took place at St. Patrick’s Church in Crossmaglen on December 4, 2010. Following the service, he was laid to rest in the church’s graveyard.[42] A coroner's inquest was held on September 21, 2011, which returned a verdict of unlawful killing, confirming Evans died violently at the hands of a paramilitary group.[43]

1980s

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Charles Armstrong (55/56) was a married father of five who disappeared in Crossmaglen on August 16, 1981, while driving to Mass. He had planned to pick up an elderly neighbour on the way but never arrived at the church.[44] His abandoned car was later found in Dundalk, County Louth.[45] At the time, the Provisional IRA denied involvement in his disappearance, and no group claimed responsibility.[46] His family initiated a private search for his remains in October 2003.[47] After several years, his remains were discovered in County Monaghan in July 2010.[48] No official explanation has been provided regarding the circumstances of his abduction and murder. His funeral took place on September 18 2010 at St Patrick's Church, the same church he was traveling to when he disappeared. He was laid to rest in the adjoining graveyard.[49] An inquest held in September 2011 returned a verdict of unlawful killing. Due to the length of time his body had been buried, the exact cause of death could not be determined, though forensic evidence indicated his skull was badly damaged and recently discharged firearms residue was found in his car.[50]

2000s

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In September 2015 the bodies of Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee were found in a bog in Coghalstown, County Meath.[51]

In May 2017 a body was found by the ICLVR in a forest in northern France outside Rouen, identified as that of Seamus Ruddy.[52]

There were two further disappearances in the 2000s. Gareth O'Connor, believed to have been a member of the Real IRA, disappeared while driving from Armagh to Dundalk in 2003. His body was discovered in Newry in 2005.[53][54] In March 2005, Lisa Dorrian disappeared after attending a party at a caravan park in Ballyhalbert. She is believed to have been kidnapped by loyalists; there is speculation that the crime is related to illegal drug trade.[53][55][56]

List of Disappeared

[edit]
Name Location[a] Age Year of disappearance Year of body being found Suspects Reference(s)
Charles Armstrong Crossmaglen 54 1981 2010 Republicans [57]
Gerard Evans County Monaghan, Ireland 24 1979 2010 Republicans [57]
Joe Lynskey Belfast 40 1972 Still missing Republicans [58][59][60][61]
Seamus Maguire Lurgan area of Co. Armagh 26 1973–1974 Still missing Republicans [58][62][63][64]
John McClory Belfast 17 1978 1999 Republicans [58][65]
Jean McConville Belfast 38 1972 2003 Republicans [58][66]
Danny McIlhone Belfast 21 1981 2008 Republicans [58][67][68]
Kevin McKee South Armagh 17 1972 2015 Republicans [58][69][70]
Brian McKinney Belfast 22 1978 1999 Republicans [58][71]
Columba McVeigh Dublin, Ireland 19 1975 Still missing Republicans [58][72][73]
Brendan Megraw Belfast 24 1978 2014 Republicans [74][58]
Eamon Molloy Belfast 22 1975 1999 Republicans [58][75][76]
Robert Nairac Dromintee, South Armagh 28 1977 Still missing Republicans [58][77][78]
Seamus Ruddy Paris, France 32 1985 2017 INLA [58][79][80][81]
Eugene Simons Castlewellan, County Down 26 1981 1984 Republicans [58]
Peter Wilson Belfast 21 1973 2010 Republicans [58][82][83][84]
Seamus Wright South Armagh 25 1972 2015 Republicans [58][69]

Disappearances since 1999

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Name Location Age Year of disappearance Year of body being found Suspects Reference(s)
Lisa Dorrian Ballyhalbert 25 2005 Still missing Loyalists [53]
Gareth O'Connor Newtownhamilton 24 2003 2005 Republicans [54]
  1. ^ Location of disappearance; in Northern Ireland unless otherwise stated

References

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  2. ^ "Never lose heart, 'disappeared' families told". BBC News. 4 June 1999. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  3. ^ "The Disappeared: Archaeologist John McIlwaine dies". BBC News. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  4. ^ "Who were the Disappeared?". 1 May 2014 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  5. ^ Northern Ireland Disappeared, reuters.com; accessed 7 September 2015.
  6. ^ "The Disappeared". Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
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  8. ^ Robert Nairac profile, bbc.co.uk; accessed 7 September 2015.
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  11. ^ "IRA: No more clues on 'disappeared'". BBC News. 1 June 1999. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Disappeared: Fragments of human remains found in search for Joe Lynskey". BBC News. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Jean McConville: family clears first High Court battle". BBC News. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  14. ^ "Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland - No evidence Jean Mcconville was an informant: Police Ombudsman". Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
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  16. ^ "Body found on Louth beach was Jean McConville". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  17. ^ "Jean McConville finally laid to rest in day full of symbolism". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  18. ^ McDonald, Henry; correspondent, Ireland (30 October 2014). "Man arrested in Belfast in connection with Jean McConville case". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 May 2025. {{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "Video: Jean McConville - Two men arrested over the 1972 murder have been released". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 22 December 2014. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  20. ^ "Dolours Price told film-makers of her direct involvement in murder of Jean McConville". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  21. ^ Johnson, Jason (9 February 2025). "Jean McConville's daughter is ready for court battle with Sinn Fein". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
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  26. ^ "The Disappeared: Search for IRA murder victim Columba McVeigh ends". BBC News. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  27. ^ a b "Columba McVeigh: 'That is all we want, his remains returned to give him a Christian burial'". The Irish News. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  28. ^ O'Cearbhaill, Muiris (16 November 2023). "'Bitterly disappointing': Latest search for Columba McVeigh has ended". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  29. ^ "Funeral held for IRA murder victim Brendan Megraw". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
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  31. ^ "Brendan Megraw's wife in 1978". BBC News. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  32. ^ Hayden, Sally (4 November 2014). "Body of IRA Kidnapping Victim Brendan Megraw Found After 36 Years". VICE. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  33. ^ "Body found in search for 'Disappeared' Brendan Megraw". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  34. ^ "The Disappeared: Meath remains were those of Brendan Megraw". BBC News. 3 November 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  35. ^ "Brendan Megraw: Priest says mother's Disappeared prayer answered". BBC News. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  36. ^ "Brendan Megraw: Disappeared victim was shot in head". BBC News. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  37. ^ Cobain, Ian (10 May 2014). "Disappeared but not forgotten: the grim secrets the IRA could not bury". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  38. ^ "Mum's plea to IRA for return of son's body". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 19 January 2009. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  39. ^ "Appeal from Disappeared searchers". 1 October 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  40. ^ "Remains were 'Disappeared' Crossmaglen man Gerry Evans". BBC News. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  41. ^ "Remains were 'Disappeared' Crossmaglen man Gerry Evans". BBC News. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  42. ^ "'Disappeared' man Gerry Evans funeral takes place". BBC News. 4 December 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
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  46. ^ "Man 'victim of mistaken identity'". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 21 September 2011. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
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  49. ^ "Funeral for Charlie Armstrong - 'Disappeared' victim". BBC News. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  50. ^ "Charlie Armstrong murder: shotgun residue found on car". BBC News. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  51. ^ Wright and McKee bodies located, bbc.co.uk; accessed 10 September 2015.
  52. ^ "Seamus Ruddy: Human remains found in search of French forest". belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  53. ^ a b c Draft List of Deaths Related to the Conflict from 2002, cain.ulst.ac.uk; accessed 7 September 2015.
  54. ^ a b "Gareth O'Connor". The Disappeared of Northern Ireland. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  55. ^ "Lisa Dorrian". The Disappeared of Northern Ireland. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  56. ^ Henry McDonald (31 July 2005). "Looking for Lisa". The Observer. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  57. ^ a b "RTÉ Special report". RTÉ News. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
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  61. ^ "Buried Secrets". The Pensive Quill. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
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  66. ^ "Jean McConville's daughter recalls mother's abduction by IRA". BBC News. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
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  68. ^ "Missing man shot dead after struggle with IRA abductors". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  69. ^ a b Rosie Cowan (30 September 2002). "Adams 'at heart' of IRA's most shameful killing campaign". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  70. ^ McNamee, Michael Sheils (14 September 2015). "After "43 years of pain" IRA victim Kevin McKee is laid to rest". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  71. ^ "'My tears for Brian'". BBC News. 17 July 2002. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
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  74. ^ "The Disappeared: Human remains found in search for Brendan Megraw". BBC News. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  75. ^ "'Disappeared' victim identified". BBC News. 20 July 1999. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  76. ^ "A prayer before dying: IRA took priest to Disappeared victim before murder". BBC News. 3 November 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  77. ^ "McGuinness in Nairac body appeal". BBC News. 20 June 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  78. ^ "RTE Prime Time Cased Profile (with video)". RTE PrimeTime. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  79. ^ "Family of INLA murder man misled". BBC News. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  80. ^ "Remains found in France confirmed to be Seamus Ruddy". The Journal.ie. 10 May 2017.
  81. ^ Brennan, Eoin. "The Disappeared: The life and death of Seamus Ruddy". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  82. ^ "Fresh 'Disappeared' dig for Peter Wilson announced". BBC News. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  83. ^ "Remains were 'Disappeared' man Peter Wilson's". BBC News. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  84. ^ "Inquest into death of 'Disappeared' man Peter Wilson". BBC News. 11 March 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
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