Sister pleads for help to find dead brother's remains

Republican gunmen who abducted a Northern Ireland man in France and dumped his body must come forward with more information, his sister said today.

Seamus Ruddy, 32, from Newry, Co Down, was teaching English in Paris when he disappeared in May 1985 and his remains have not been found.

He left the political wing of the INLA two years earlier and the guerilla group was blamed for his killing.

A search of a Normandy forest last week failed to find anything.

Mr Ruddy’s sister Anne Morgan said: “We hope that the INLA will go back and talk to its members and find out if anyone else has been to that forest and if so to come back and give us the information.

“It has taken us eight years to get to this point where we have felt the disappointment, eight years of co-operating with the INLA to help get this information.”

She believes her brother was murdered because he had knowledge of arms trafficking routes used by the group but said she refrained from criticising it in the hope of recovering her brother.

“They have obviously taken the word of someone who was leading us all down the garden path literally,” she said in explanation for the failed investigation.

A thorough technical search including forensic experts from the Republic of Ireland and the UK took place in the Rouen region of France organised by the cross-border Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains.

There was a dig in the same area in 2000.

Ms Morgan added: “It is absolutely devastating, it really is.

“The forensic team said it was 97% sure it was going to be successful.”

She said fun-loving Seamus had nine brothers and sisters and although he never married he was close to his family and nephews and nieces.

A spokesman for the Commission said last week’s search was the latest in a series of visits to the site by Commission representatives and experts.

“Work concluded at the weekend and unfortunately, no remains were found,” he added.

“The Ruddy family has been kept fully informed during all stages of the search.

“The Commission has no further information on where Seamus Ruddy may be buried, but the case remains open.”

Information can be passed in confidence to the Commission on 00800 555 85500.