The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) has reported that fragments of human remains have been found at a site which was being investigated by the ICLVR in Annyalla Cemetery Co Monaghan.
Eamonn Henry, Lead Investigator of the ICLVR said, “following the recent exhumation at Annyalla Cemetery in relation to the search for Joe Lynskey, information came to the ICLVR indicating another small area of interest within the confines of the cemetery.
He confirmed that this was not another family grave site. “I want to emphasise that this information did not relate directly to the disappearance of Joe Lynskey and so until we have a positive identification or the elimination of the remains as those of Joe Lynskey or any of the other of the Disappeared we have to keep an open mind”.
The State Pathologist has been notified and the remains have been taken away for technical examination.
Confirming that the Lynskey family have been informed Mr Henry said, “we know only too well that the Lynskey family have had hopes raised before only to be bitterly disappointed and so, as ever, expectations have to be managed.
“The process of identification could take some time and we will continue to offer the family what support we can.”
Mr Henry renewed the appeal for information on all of the remaining Disappeared cases. “Regardless of the outcome, this work at Annyalla shows that where we have credible information we will act on it.
This week also marks the 48th anniversary (15 May) of the murder and secret burial of Robert Nairac.
We need information on his and the other outstanding cases and anyone with information can be assured that it will be treated in the strictest confidence
Our humanitarian work is entirely information driven to get us to the right places where we can use the considerable technical expertise at our disposal to locate the remains of those disappeared and to return them to their loved ones for Christian burial.
Anyone who helps with that will be doing a great service to families who have suffered so much for so long”.
Anyone with information on the four outstanding Disappeared cases —Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire— should contact the ICLVR on +353 1 602 8655 or [email protected] or ICLVR PO Box 10827 Dublin, Ireland.
All information is treated in the strictest confidence.
