'Help Find Disappeared' Says Ministers

There has been a fresh call for information that might help locate the remains of terror victims abducted by the IRA, killed and secretly buried during the Troubles.

The cross-border initiative came as the Dáil Justice Minister Alan Shatter and Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister Hugo Swire met with the family members of the 'Disappeared' victims of paramilitary murders and with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR).

The Ministers jointly expressed their sympathy to the families on their loss and their hope that the remains of those victims who have not yet been recovered can be returned to their loved ones.

Hugo Swire said: "The relatives of the Disappeared have suffered their loss for decades but have not given up hope for the return of their family members for a decent burial.

"I call on anyone with any information that could help to provide it to the Commission without delay. Any information given is strictly confidential and cannot by law be used for any other purpose."

The Irish Republic's Minister Shatter said: "The Commission's investigations are complicated and difficult, and information from the public is absolutely crucial to its work.

"Anyone with information about any of the cases of the Disappeared should contact the Commission's confidential telephone number or its PO Box address."

The Ministers also thanked the Commissioners and the Commission's staff for their work to date in recovering the remains of a number of paramilitary victims who had been buried in secret locations.

This has helped to bring closure for their families. The two Commissioners, Frank Murray and Sir Ken Bloomfield, confirmed that the current work programme of investigations to follow up on information received was almost completed and that further work is planned for next year.

Minister Shatter said: "The Commission has been successful in recovering the remains of eight of the victims and, thankfully, this has brought some comfort to their families.

"The Commission, with the support of the two Governments, has worked tirelessly for the families in recent years and we hope, for their sake, that it will be able to make further progress.

NIO Minister Swire said: "We recognise the continuing hurt and disappointment felt by those families whose loved ones have yet to be recovered to them.

"The work of the Commission is a very important example of successful cross-border co-operation and it plans to carry out further work next year."

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains was established by an intergovernmental agreement between the British and Irish Governments, signed on 27 April 1999, and by legislation enacted in the two jurisdictions.

The Department of Justice and Equality, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Office, provides financial support for the Commission.

(BMcC/GK)