The UK and Irish Commissioners on the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) have announced that the latest search on Bragan Bog, Co Monaghan for the remains of Columba McVeigh has ended. The 19-year-old from Co Tyrone was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1975 has been completed without success.
There have been six searches since 1999 covering a total of over 26 acres of Bragan Bog. Speaking to Northern Sound, lead investigator Jon Hill described having to take the decision to end the search as "bitterly disappointing." Mr Hill said that he remains "convinced" that Columba was taken to Bragan Bog nearly 50 years ago and was buried there. Despite this, Mr Hill said that the missing remains of Columba McVeigh can only mean that he is not where investigators were told to look. He added that if credible information is forthcoming and the Commissioners accept that there are good grounds to search again, then they will:
Meanwhile, speaking on today's Joe Finnegan Show, Columba's brother Oliver McVeigh described the news as "heartbreaking." He said failed searches both now and in the past are always a "hard pillow to swallow" as a family member. Oliver added that he was "particularly hopeful" this time round due to the area that was explored.
