The search for the remains of Columba McVeigh which commenced in August is continuing and investigators have confirmed this evening that they are moving to a section of the bog that is roughly eight acres in size.
Eamon Henry, the Lead Investigator for the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR), has given an update on the search for the remains of Columba McVeigh currently underway on Bragan Bog, Co Monaghan.
Columba McVeigh was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in October 1975.
Mr Henry said:“Active searching was paused briefly because of deteriorating ground conditions in spells of bad weather and we took that opportunity to undertake the necessary restoration work on the disturbed areas of the bog to preserve its ecological integrity.
”We are grateful to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Blackwater Trust for their co-operation.
“Everyone involved in the search for Columba is acutely aware that the 50th anniversary of his murder and secret burial is approaching at the end of October.
“The pain and anguish this causes his family is almost impossible to imagine.
We are doing everything in our power to recover Columba’s remains and while it is frustrating for us and deeply disappointing for the McVeigh family that we have not yet found him, our determination to do so is undiminished, adding "If he is here we will find him”.
Anyone with information on any of the four outstanding ICLVR Disappeared cases —Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire— should contact the ICLVR.
All information is treated in the strictest confidence. The ICLVR can be contacted by telephone: +353 1 602 8655
