Mother dies without finding 'disappeared' son's body

The mother of an IRA murder victim whose body was never found after he was kidnapped over 30 years ago died today.

Vera McVeigh, 82, suffered a major stroke last week and died in Craigavon Area Hospital, Co Armagh.

Her son Oliver said: “She wasn’t afraid of dying, but there was only one thing she ever wanted.”

Columba McVeigh, 17, was abducted in Dublin, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1975.

But despite a series of searches, including one which lasted for two weeks near Emyvale, Co Monaghan in 2003, his remains were never recovered.

Mrs McVeigh met with the Rev Ian Paisley at her home in Donaghmore, Co Tyrone last November as part of her campaign to have her son’s body found.

Columba is one of the so-called Disappeared – victims murdered by the IRA, but whose bodies have never been located.

Oliver added: “The last eight or nine years certainly took their toll on my mother, but she hung on in hope. She wanted Columba in the family grave and then she’d be happy to follow him.

“But I wouldn’t be her son, if I didn‘t keep the campaign going. It will be more vigorous than ever. I just hope that the people who refused to come forward to help, including some locals, are proud of themselves.”