Minister Harris calls on those with information on the Disappeared to come forward after meeting with families
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From: Department of Justice
- Published on: 10 May 2023
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
The Minister for Justice Simon Harris has today met with the families of the Disappeared. The Disappeared were victims of paramilitary violence who were murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles.
The families were supported by Sandra Peake, CEO of WAVE Trauma Centre. Also present were the Commissioners and Lead Investigator with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR). Senator Emer Currie attended.
The ICLVR is responsible for facilitating the location of the remains of the Disappeared.
The role of the ICLVR is purely humanitarian. Its only aim is to recover the remains of the disappeared in order to allow the families to give their loved ones a proper burial.
The meeting was an opportunity for the Minister to hear directly from the families. As victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland they have had to endure a singularly cruel experience, facing not only the tragedy and injustice of losing a loved one, but also for decades not knowing where that loved one was buried or if they might be recovered.
The Minister met with families who have had their loved ones returned and also met with those who still wait for the remains of their loved ones to be returned.
The Commission has a total of 17 persons on its list of the Disappeared and, to date, the remains of 11 of the Disappeared have been recovered through the Commission's efforts. Four people remain to be found – Joseph Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire.
Minister Harris said:
“The government is deeply committed to alleviating the suffering of victims and we will continue to support the efforts being made to locate those who have not yet been found.
“We must always remember the Disappeared, and never forget that some families are still awaiting the return of their loved ones.
"Our resolve in Government to support the efforts to support the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains and the families of the Disappeared is as strong as ever.
"I commend the efforts of WAVE Trauma Centre in the significant support they have provided to the families of the disappeared. WAVE, and in particular, Sandra Peake, CEO, have worked closely with the families of the disappeared for years.
"The ICLVR, with the support of the Irish and British Governments, continues to work tirelessly on behalf of the families of the Disappeared.
"The ICLVR’s investigations are complex and difficult, and information from the public is the key to locating those who are still missing.
“There are people out there who still have information which would help the families. I would call on anyone with information that could help recover the remains of those still missing to pass that information to the Commission without delay, safe in the knowledge that it will be treated in the strictest confidence."
Notes
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) was established by an Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom signed on 27 April 1999, and by legislation enacted in both jurisdictions.
The ICLVR is responsible for facilitating the location of the remains of victims of paramilitary violence who were murdered and secretly buried arising from the conflict in Northern Ireland.
The two current Commissioners are Mr. Tim Dalton and Mrs Rosalie Flanagan.
The Department of Justice, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Office, provides financial support for the Commission.
The Commission has in place a confidential free-phone number and post office box address through which information can be passed to it. Any such information will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be used for any purpose other than locating the remains of victims.
The ICLVR can be contacted in confidence by:
- telephone: 00800 55585500
- international telephone: +353 1 602 8655
- email: Secretary@iclvr.ie
- post: ICLVR PO Box 10827
The 17 Disappeared are:
| Joe Lynskey | Missing | |
| Columba McVeigh | Missing | |
| Robert Nairac | Missing | |
| Seamus Maguire | Missing | |
| Eugene Simons | located 1984 | |
| John McClory | located 1999 | |
| Brian McKinney | located 1999 | |
| Eamon Molloy | located 1999 | |
| Jean McConville | located 2003 | |
| Danny McIlhone | located 2008 | |
| Charles Armstrong | located 2010 | |
| Gerard Evans | located 2010 | |
| Peter Wilson | located 2010 | |
| Brendan Megraw | located 2014 | |
| Kevin McKee | located 2015 | |
| Seamus Wright | located 2015 | |
| Seamus Ruddy | located 2017 |