Ireland: New appeal for information to locate bodies of 'The Disappeared'

Brendan Megraw

Bishop Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath, has made a fresh appeal for information that might help to find the bodies of victims who disappeared during the Troubles in the North. His comments were made as a search is underway in Coghalstown bog, close to Oristown in County Meath where the body of Brendan Megraw, aged 23, was discovered last October.

At the close of a Confirmation ceremony in Oristown parish today, Wednesday 18 March 2015, Bishop Smith made the following comments:

"You will be aware that the Commission searching for The Disappeared is engaged at present in another search at Coghalstown bog, prompted by new information received.

That four young men were murdered and their bodies dumped in unmarked graves in this area is a deep stain on the good name of this parish. These actions have brought immense pain and suffering to their extended families over the past 40 years.

All the families want is to give their loved ones a decent Christian burial. No retribution is suffered by anyone giving information, since a law enacted both here and in Britain protects them.

Sadly there may be people in the area that have information which would help in bringing closure to this sorry saga. In these circumstances that anyone in a position to relieve the suffering and pain of the families would refuse to do is a challenge to their conscience. They will ultimately be accountable before God.

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office