Minister's plea over 'disappeared'

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern today made a fresh appeal for the return of bodies of people abducted and murdered by the IRA.

Mr Ahern assured the Wave group, which represents families of 11 victims "disappeared" between 1972 and 2003, that the Irish Government would do everything in its power to ensure closure to their grief.

The latest to go missing was Armagh electrician Gareth O’Connor, 24 who vanished while driving to Dundalk garda station almost two years ago to satisfy the terms of his bail conditions.

Speaking after an hour-long meeting with a 15-member Wave delegation in Dundalk today, Mr Ahern said: “I acknowledge the pain and suffering these families have endured since their loved ones were taken from them.

“I can assure them that I, the Justice Minister and the Government as a whole will do everything we can to ensure they get closure on their grief.

“I want to make an appeal to anybody with information – particularly those in the IRA or republican movement – to come forward and assist in anyway they can.

“To lose a loved one is a terrible thing but not to have a body or grave to grieve over is unimaginable.”

Mr Ahern, a Dundalk TD, assured the families that their loved ones would not be forgotten and that every avenue would be explored.

The family of Gareth O’Connor are convinced the father-of-two was abducted and murdered by the IRA but the terror group issued a statement denying involvement.

In 1999 and 2000 the IRA gave information on hidden graves which led to extensive garda digs in six locations in Cos Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Wicklow for the hidden graves.

After six weeks of digging near Carrickmacross, they found a double grave containing the remains of victims John McClory and Brian McKinney.

One of the most famous "Disappeared" cases was Belfast widow and mother-of-ten Jean McConville – abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1972 – whose remains were finally found on a beach in Co Louth in August 2003.