THE REMAINS OF a man found in July of this year have been confirmed to be those of Charlie Armstrong from south Armagh, who went missing in nearly thirty years ago.

57-year-old Armstrong went missing on his way to Mass in 1981. It is believed that he was abducted and murdered by the IRA.

The remains were found in Colgagh, Co Monaghan, and DNA results proving they were those of Armstrong were sent to The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR).

The body is expected to be to the Armstrong family and buried this Saturday.

After a map was sent to the Armstrong family in 1998, apparently showing where the remains were buried, an search was conducted. Nothing was found, but later another map was sent to the family, detailing a slightly different location.

Armstrong’s remain were found in the vicinity of the two sites, RTÉ reports.

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has expressed his sympathy with the Armstrong family.

“I have met with the Armstrong family in the past… For many years Mrs Armstrong has said that all she wishes for is to give her husband a proper burial and to have a grave to visit,” he said, adding, “I am glad that today’s news means this wish will soon be fulfilled.”

Charlie Armstrong is one of the so-called “Disappeared”: 14 men and women who were abducted and murdered by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.