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The Disappeared: Human remains found during search for Joe Lynskey The Disappeared: Human remains found during search for Joe Lynskey
(35 minutes later)
Human remains have been found during the search for one of the Disappeared, Joe Lynskey. Human remains have been found during the search for one of the Disappeared.
Mr Lynskey was abducted in west Belfast in 1972. He was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA. Joe Lynskey was abducted in west Belfast in 1972, and was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA.
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) has been searching for his body at a bog in County Meath since March.The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) has been searching for his body at a bog in County Meath since March.
The remains have not yet been identified. The remains have not yet been identified, but a senior investigator said the "likelihood is quite strong" they are those of Mr Lynskey.
"The discovery was made by contractors under the supervision of a forensic archaeologist," the ICLVR said in a statement. Jon Hill, speaking from the site, said: "There's obviously the formality that has to be gone through to confirm it, but I think the possibility is pretty high.
"Following the recovery of the body the state pathologist will begin the process of post-mortem and of formal identification." "We always and only work on information that is of good value, so we wouldn't be here if we weren't hopeful of finding the remains of Joe Lynskey."
The term, the Disappeared, refers to victims who were murdered and secretly buried by republicans during the Troubles. Mr Lynskey's family are "shocked, pleased and surprised", Mr Hill said.
'Years of pain' "It's a very traumatic time for them and I do sympathise with them, because it's great news but its terrible news."
Identification
In a brief statement, Maria Lynskey, the victim's niece, thanked the ICLVR "and those who have engaged with the commission in the search for Joe".
"Our thoughts are with the other families whose loved ones remain disappeared," she added.
The discovery was made on Thursday by contractors under the supervision of a forensic archaeologist.
The state pathologist will now conduct a post-mortem examination and begin the process of formal identification.
The term the Disappeared refers to victims who were murdered and secretly buried by republicans during the Troubles.
Mr Lynskey was a former Cistercian monk from the Beechmount area of west Belfast who later joined the IRA.Mr Lynskey was a former Cistercian monk from the Beechmount area of west Belfast who later joined the IRA.
He was abducted close to his home in August 1972.He was abducted close to his home in August 1972.
When excavations began at the Coghalstown bog in March, forensic investigators said they had narrowed the search to about 15 acres of bog land.When excavations began at the Coghalstown bog in March, forensic investigators said they had narrowed the search to about 15 acres of bog land.
Last month, the victim's niece visited the search site in person and made a public appeal for help in finding his body. Last month, Ms Lynskey visited the search site in person and made a public appeal for help in finding his body.
Maria Lynskey said her family had suffered "years of pain" after his abduction. She said her family had suffered "years of pain" after his abduction.
Closure
Irish minister for justice Frances Fitzgerald said: "I hope the discovery of remains in County Meath will allow another chapter to be closed in the tragic saga of the Disappeared."Irish minister for justice Frances Fitzgerald said: "I hope the discovery of remains in County Meath will allow another chapter to be closed in the tragic saga of the Disappeared."
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said he hoped "the identity of the remains can be quickly verified and that this discovery will bring some closure to the family and loved ones of Joe Lynskey". Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said he hoped "the identity of the remains can be quickly verified and that this discovery will bring some closure to the family and loved ones of Joe Lynskey".
"I want to appeal again for anyone with any information on those remains still not found to bring that information forward to the families, to the commission or myself," he said."I want to appeal again for anyone with any information on those remains still not found to bring that information forward to the families, to the commission or myself," he said.
The ICLVR was established in 1999 by treaty between the British and Irish governments.The ICLVR was established in 1999 by treaty between the British and Irish governments.
Its role is to obtain confidential information that could help to locate the bodies of the missing victims, but such information cannot be used in criminal proceedings.Its role is to obtain confidential information that could help to locate the bodies of the missing victims, but such information cannot be used in criminal proceedings.
Over the past 16 years, the ICLVR has searched for 16 people who were officially listed as the Disappeared.Over the past 16 years, the ICLVR has searched for 16 people who were officially listed as the Disappeared.
To date, the remains of 10 of the victims have been recovered and formally identified.To date, the remains of 10 of the victims have been recovered and formally identified.