The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP, has expressed his profound regret following the conclusion of the latest search operation in Co Monaghan for the remains of disappeared teenager, Columba McVeigh.

Mr Benn's comments were made after the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) confirmed they have ceased the search at Bragan Bog. The operation had been underway since the summer, initiated after a comprehensive review of previous searches identified a new area of the bog to be excavated.

In a statement, the Secretary of State, said: "I am deeply saddened that, in spite of the substantial efforts of the Commission, the remains of Columba have not been located at Bragan Bog." He went on to acknowledge the dedicated team involved in the work: "Having visited the site last month, I want to acknowledge the diligence and determination of the Commission to locate Columba since the first search at Bragan Bog was conducted in 1999, as well as the investigators, forensic archaeologists and the search teams for their painstaking and sensitive work."

Mr Benn concluded by offering his sympathies to the family and renewing a call for information: "Today, my thoughts are above with the family of Columba who have endured this unimaginable burden for so many years, and who only recently marked the 50th anniversary of his death."

He stressed the continuing commitment of the government to the mission, adding: "The UK Government remains committed to the work of the ICLVR. I call on anyone with information that could help the recovery of the remains of those still missing to pass that information to the Commission as soon as possible."