22/08/2014

Fresh Searches To Begin For 'Disappeared' Victim

Fresh searches are to commence next week in relation to one of Northern Ireland's 'Disappeared'.

According to the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR), a "geophysical survey" will be undertaken on an area of land in Oristown, Co Meath, which has not previously been searched.

It is thought the remains of Brendan Megraw, a victim of the IRA, are buried on the land. Mr Megraw was 23 when he was abducted from Twinbrook in Belfast in 1978 and murdered by the IRA. His body has never been recovered and he is one of 16 murder victims that became known as the Disappeared.

There have been three previous searches to try and locate Mr Megraw's remains, with the most recent taking place in 2010.

Speaking to Good Morning Ulster, senior forensic investigator Geoff Knupfer described the search is a "continuation" of the previous efforts to find Mr Megraw.

He said: "We've undertaken two or three phases previously. They're all adjoining one another which would indicate to you and your listeners that we've been told where to go, where to look and, really, it's a continuation of that process."

"No-one, least of all Brendan's family, is under any illusion that this is anything other than a huge task," he added. "We will carry out an initial survey of ground that is on the site where we think Brendan could be buried, but has not previously been analysed."

The ICLVR was set up in 1999 to obtain information, in confidence, which could lead to the location of the remains of the Disappeared.

(JP/MH)

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