Remains confirmed as 'Disappeared' IRA victim

Human remains found on a remote hillside were today confirmed as those of missing IRA victim Danny McIlhone.

The west Belfast teenager was one of the so-called 'Disappeared' who were abducted, murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) made a breakthrough in their search for his body last month at Ballynultagh, near the village of Lacken in the Wicklow Mountains.

The remains were sent to a special DNA database in England that contains the genetic codes of all the families of the Disappeared.

The ICLVR said the Dublin Coroner confirmed a positive identification.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the McIlhone family at this time and we hope that the confirmation that the remains of their brother have been recovered will bring them closure," said a spokesman.

"The work of the Commission continues and we hope that we can also bring closure to other families of the Disappeared."

The McIlhone family will now liaise with the Dublin Coroner to have the remains of their brother returned to them for burial.