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The Disappeared

After "43 years of pain" IRA victim Kevin McKee is laid to rest

Kevin McKee was 17 when he disappeared in October 1972.

Updated 7pm

THE FUNERAL OF one of ‘The Disappeared’ took place at St Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast today.

Kevin McKee’s body had been left in a bogland in Co Meath for 43 years before being discovered along with that of Seamus Wright, another man shot and secretly buried by the IRA.

Their remains were formally identified last week following DNA testing, after being uncovered by investigators earlier this summer.

Britain Northern Ireland Funeral Associated Press Associated Press

Kevin McKee funeral PA WIRE PA WIRE

Kevin McKee funeral PA WIRE PA WIRE

Kevin McKee funeral Relatives of Kevin McKee release doves at his funeral at St Peter's Cathedral today. PA WIRE PA WIRE

A priest at the funeral, Fr Michael Murtagh, said that after ”43 years of pain” it was important that Kevin receive a Christian burial. 

McKee was 17 when he disappeared in October 1972 along with Wright, 25.

Who were The Disappeared? 

The term ‘The Disappeared’ refers to 16 people killed during the Troubles whose remains were buried and not found.

The  Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains 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.

The funeral of Seamus Wright is set to happen tomorrow.

Includes reporting from Daragh Brophy.

Read: The Disappeared: Remains found in Meath bog are those of Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee

Also: “No grave to tend, no place to grieve”: The four remaining ‘Disappeared’

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