Cardinal condemns killers of man murdered 30 years ago

The killers of a man kidnapped and murdered 30 years ago were “playing God” with other people’s lives, the head of the Catholic church in Ireland said today.

They took it upon themselves to play judge, jury and executioner of Gerry Evans in an act of appalling wickedness, Cardinal Sean Brady added. The perpetrators are believed to have been the IRA.

Funeral Mass was held today for Mr Evans, 24, from Crossmaglen, south Armagh, who went missing in March 1979 while hitchhiking. He was one of the so-called Disappeared who were suspected of having been abducted and their bodies disposed of by republicans during the conflict. His remains were found in October.

Cardinal Brady said: “Certain people took upon themselves to play God with regard to the life of Gerry Evans. They took upon themselves to be judge and jury, executioner and undertaker.

“What arrogance. What appalling wickedness.”

His body was found on October 15 in Co Louth, 31 years after he vanished.

Mr Evans was last seen hitch-hiking in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.

The remains were discovered shortly after a commission established to hunt for remains said it was winding down its search after 16 months of painstaking excavation. They had unearthed an area the size of four football fields but found nothing.

The funeral took place today in Crossmaglen’s St Patrick’s Church. He was buried just outside near another Disappeared, Charlie Armstrong, also believed abducted by republicans during the conflict.

The coffin was carried into the church by Mr Evans’ brother Noel and followed by his mother Mary.

Mr Evans told mourners he was grateful information had made it possible to locate his brother and said it was time to help the other families of the Disappeared.

Cardinal Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, said Mr Evans died before his time.

“He died because someone or some group decided to take to themselves the right to destroy his life,” he added.

There are 17 known cases of individuals who are suspected of having been murdered and secretly buried. Two of these are victims added to the list in the last two years.

The earliest disappearance reported is that of Seamus McKee and Seamus Wright in October 1972. The latest of those not recovered is Seamus Ruddy in 1985. Cases span over 31 years. Nine were named by the IRA in the spring of 1999 as having been murdered by members of their organisation and their bodies hidden across a number of areas in the south of Ireland. Republican splinter group the Irish National Liberation Army claimed the death of Mr Ruddy, buried in a forest near Rouen in France.

The remaining killings are unclaimed. However, the families contend that given the circumstances and response following the disappearances, members of republican armed groups were responsible and at the very least can shed light on the fate of their loved ones.

A keen darts and snooker player, Mr Evans was described by his family as quiet yet funny.

His mother said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better son.”