Excavators are returning to a web site in Ireland to start a recent seek for a youngster murdered and secretly buried by the IRA.
Columba McVeigh, 19, from Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was final seen in November 1975.
The search will happen at Bragan bathroom close to Emyvale in Co Monaghan, the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) stated.
Five searches, the latest ending in September 2019, have been carried out within the space since 1999.
Mr McVeigh is likely one of the “Disappeared” victims of the Troubles whose our bodies have by no means been discovered.
Geoff Knupfer, the ICLVR’s lead forensic investigator, stated: “I’ll repeat what I said when we commenced the last search four years ago: we remain convinced that Columba was buried in Bragan Bog.
“The indisputable fact that now we have not discovered his stays after quite a few searches is deeply disappointing and irritating particularly for the McVeigh household. But on this work that isn’t in itself uncommon.”
‘We hope to see success’
Mr Knupfer continued: “Back in 2014 we discovered Brendan Megraw’s stays 15 years after the primary search on Oristown Bog, Co Meath.
“We constantly review information and refine it. While we never discuss the information we are working from suffice it to say we would not be searching unless we believed that there was a credible reason for doing so.”
Jon Hill, senior investigator with the ICLVR, added: “We are looking at an area of around two acres in total which we’ll work on in two phases. I can’t put a timeframe on the search, but obviously we would hope to see success in phase one which starts today.
“In phrases of how the search will progress, a lot will depend upon the climate and the state of the bathroom as we transfer by the autumn. There is an extra problem in that a part of the world is forested, however we’ll cope with that if now we have to additional down the road.
“We are working with a highly experienced team of contractors and archaeologists, and we will do our utmost to bring this search to a successful conclusion for the McVeigh family.
“We all know the way a lot it could imply to them.”
Mr Knupfer also reiterated his appeal for information in three other outstanding “Disappeared” circumstances – Joe Lynskey, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire.
The ICLVR could be contacted by phone 00800-55585500, worldwide +353 1 602 8655 or by e-mail at [email protected]
Source: information.sky.com”