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23/09/2019
Search For Disappeared Columba McVeigh Ends
The sister of a man murdered and buried in secret by the IRA in 1975 has spoken of her family's "pain and torment" as a search for his body ends without success.
Columba McVeigh, from Donaghmore in County Tyrone, was just aged 19 when he was killed. He is one of the 16 murder victims known as the Disappeared.
A fresh search of the Bragan Bog in County Monaghan ended without success on Sunday 22 September, the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) has confirmed.
It's been over 44 years since Columba was murdered.
"Someone knows where he is," his sister Dympna Kerr said in a statement released through the WAVE Trauma Centre.
"It's impossible to describe the continuing pain and torment of yet another year passing and another search ending with Columba still lying in some desolate unmarked hole in the ground where he was left by his murderers.
"All we want is for him to be brought home to be buried alongside his mother and father so that he and they can rest in peace.
"Why is that too much to ask?
"What have we done to deserve this inhuman treatment?
"What cause is served by denying an ordinary Catholic family the sacrament of a funeral Mass for over 40 years?"
Ms Kerr said she believes someone would hold information if her brother's body was moved from one place to another.
"If they have any decency or humanity about them they will end this torture now," she continued.
The bereaved woman went on to thank all those who have supported the family over the years.
Columba's brother Oliver added: "We are devastated by this news but we are also angry.
"Angry that people who have information are watching us suffer and are doing nothing.
"They keep saying that they have told the Commission where he is.
"They've searched over 21 acres for Columba's remains and the one thing we can say with complete certainty is that he is not where they are telling us he is, so we then have to look at the possibility: 'Are they telling us the truth?'
"I don't believe this is the end, in fact it will just strengthen our resolve to locate Columba's body by what ever means possible."
Anyone with information relating to the whereabouts of the remains of Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh or Robert Nairac should contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.
An untraceable online form can also be used to pass on information.
(JG/CM)
Columba McVeigh, from Donaghmore in County Tyrone, was just aged 19 when he was killed. He is one of the 16 murder victims known as the Disappeared.
A fresh search of the Bragan Bog in County Monaghan ended without success on Sunday 22 September, the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) has confirmed.
It's been over 44 years since Columba was murdered.
"Someone knows where he is," his sister Dympna Kerr said in a statement released through the WAVE Trauma Centre.
"It's impossible to describe the continuing pain and torment of yet another year passing and another search ending with Columba still lying in some desolate unmarked hole in the ground where he was left by his murderers.
"All we want is for him to be brought home to be buried alongside his mother and father so that he and they can rest in peace.
"Why is that too much to ask?
"What have we done to deserve this inhuman treatment?
"What cause is served by denying an ordinary Catholic family the sacrament of a funeral Mass for over 40 years?"
Ms Kerr said she believes someone would hold information if her brother's body was moved from one place to another.
"If they have any decency or humanity about them they will end this torture now," she continued.
The bereaved woman went on to thank all those who have supported the family over the years.
Columba's brother Oliver added: "We are devastated by this news but we are also angry.
"Angry that people who have information are watching us suffer and are doing nothing.
"They keep saying that they have told the Commission where he is.
"They've searched over 21 acres for Columba's remains and the one thing we can say with complete certainty is that he is not where they are telling us he is, so we then have to look at the possibility: 'Are they telling us the truth?'
"I don't believe this is the end, in fact it will just strengthen our resolve to locate Columba's body by what ever means possible."
Anyone with information relating to the whereabouts of the remains of Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh or Robert Nairac should contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.
An untraceable online form can also be used to pass on information.
(JG/CM)
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