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14/05/2003
Paramilitary involvement suspected in man’s disappearance
A senior figure in the Catholic clergy has said that he suspects that there was paramilitary involvement in the disappearance last weekend of a man from Armagh.
Father-of-two Gareth O’Connor has not been seen since he left his house in Armagh city on Sunday morning.
Though it is reported that an IRA statement denied involvement, Mr O’Connor’s family claim that police had warned he was at risk due to alleged links with dissident republicans.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster Monsignor Denis Faul, who said he had been dealing with families in this situation for 28 years, said: “What I am really afraid of is that he will join the ‘disappeared’”.
He said that he had spoken at length to the family about Mr O’Connor’s disappearance, that they may never see him again, and that may never be able to bury him.
Earlier this week, in an unusual move made after the family had approached local clergy, Archbishop Sean Brady, the Catholic Primate in Ireland, appealed for information about the whereabouts of Mr O’Connor.
On Tuesday, the man’s father Mark O’Connor said he was sure the Provisional IRA had abducted his son.
Sinn Féin assembly member for the Armagh Area, Pat McNamee, said he did not believe that Gareth O’Connor had been abducted and backed calls made by the Catholic clergy for his safe return.
(SP)
Father-of-two Gareth O’Connor has not been seen since he left his house in Armagh city on Sunday morning.
Though it is reported that an IRA statement denied involvement, Mr O’Connor’s family claim that police had warned he was at risk due to alleged links with dissident republicans.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster Monsignor Denis Faul, who said he had been dealing with families in this situation for 28 years, said: “What I am really afraid of is that he will join the ‘disappeared’”.
He said that he had spoken at length to the family about Mr O’Connor’s disappearance, that they may never see him again, and that may never be able to bury him.
Earlier this week, in an unusual move made after the family had approached local clergy, Archbishop Sean Brady, the Catholic Primate in Ireland, appealed for information about the whereabouts of Mr O’Connor.
On Tuesday, the man’s father Mark O’Connor said he was sure the Provisional IRA had abducted his son.
Sinn Féin assembly member for the Armagh Area, Pat McNamee, said he did not believe that Gareth O’Connor had been abducted and backed calls made by the Catholic clergy for his safe return.
(SP)
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