Updated at 1pm
THE REMAINS OF two men found in a bog in Co Meath in June are those of two of ‘The Disappeared’ – Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee.
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) confirmed their identities this afternoon.
A team of forensic investigators began searching an area at Coghalstown in March for the remains of another ‘Disappeared’ victim Joe Lynskey, but announced in June that it was “more likely than not” they had found the remains of Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee.
It would take ‘some weeks’ for a full DNA analysis to take place, the ICLVR said at the time.
Both men were abducted and killed by the IRA in 1972.
In a statement in June, their families said they could “at last see an end to the torment that has lasted over forty years” and bring Seamus and Kevin home.
“We want to thank the ICVLR and whoever provided information to the ICLVR. Without that information this would never have happened,” the families said.
“While this will change the lives of our families our thoughts are with the Lynskey family and all those who still wait for the news that their loved ones have been found.”
Investigators had been given information by republicans that the two men were buried together.
Speaking in June, the ICVLR’s lead forensic scientist and investigator Geoff Knupfer said that if the remains were confirmed to be Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee, the team would continue to search the area for Joe Lynskey.
Who were The Disappeared?
The term ‘The Disappeared’ refers to 16 people killed during the Troubles whose remains were buried and not found.
The ICLVR was set up by the British and Irish governments as part of the peace process, and tasked with finding the bodies.
Through its agents, it receives confidential information which is only used for the purpose of locating the victims’ remains. It cannot disclose the identity of an informant to police or to the victim’s family.
The agency was established in 1999 and issues various appeals to people with information to come forward.
To date, 12 victims have been recovered, including the most well-known, Jean McConville.
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