Remains of 2 bodies discovered in bog

The remains of two bodies have been found in a bog in Co Meath where three of the IRA Disappeared are believed to have been secretly buried.

One of them was understood earlier yesterday to be that of former monk Jeo Lynskey, from West Belfast. He was abducted and murdered by the IRA in August 1972 and his body dumped.

However, last night it emerged that the two bodies may, in fact, be those of two other victims, Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee.

In a statement, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said it was an important step towards the recovery of all of those killed and secretly buried. “Republicans have co-operated fully with the Commission and we now need to continue to do our utmost to bring closure for the remaining families,” he said.

The discovery of the bodies on farmland in Coghalstown followed months of painstaking searches by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains.

Joe Lynskey’s niece Maria visited the site yesterday. “We would like to thank the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains and those who have engaged with the commission in the search for Joe,” she said.

Mr Lynskey, a former Cistercian monk from Beechmount, Belfast, was one of 17 people abducted, killed and clandestinely dumped or buried by republicans. The IRA only admitted his murder almost 40 years on, in 2010.

The discoveries, the 12th by the ICLVR, was made near the centre of the six hectare site which was reclaimed from bogland for a farm in the 1980s and used as pasture ever since.

Local priest John O’Brien was called to the scene after the discovery.

The north’s state pathologist will carry out examinations at the scene before the remains are removed for a post mortem.

The ICLVR brought in a sniffer dog late last year as part of efforts to try to detect signs of human remains on the land and teams have been carrying out more detailed surveys and digs since March.

Jon Hill, senior investigator with the ICLVR, spoke with Lynskey family members following the discoveries.

“They were shocked but in a way pleased,” he said. “They are always hopeful of course but they are prepared to not find their loved ones as well.

“It’s such a difficult process. There are no guarantees, it’s something that we always try to impress on the families.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said said her thoughts were with those who still await the return of remains.

“For a family to be bereaved but denied the opportunity to bury their loved one is a trauma that is hard to imagine,” she said.