This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7721208.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
SF leader welcomes remains find SF leader welcomes remains find
(40 minutes later)
The discovery of what are thought to be the remains of west Belfast man Danny McIlhone has been welcomed by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.The discovery of what are thought to be the remains of west Belfast man Danny McIlhone has been welcomed by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.
Partial human remains were found during a search in County Wicklow on behalf of the commission set up to search for the bodies of the so-called Disappeared.Partial human remains were found during a search in County Wicklow on behalf of the commission set up to search for the bodies of the so-called Disappeared.
Mr McIlhone was 19 when he was abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1981.Mr McIlhone was 19 when he was abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1981.
"The apparent discovery of Danny McIlhone's remains will come as a great relief for his family," said Mr Adams."The apparent discovery of Danny McIlhone's remains will come as a great relief for his family," said Mr Adams.
"It is also evidence that republicans continue to work diligently on this important issue."It is also evidence that republicans continue to work diligently on this important issue.
"It will also be an encouragement to the other families who are still hoping that the remains of their loved ones will be found.""It will also be an encouragement to the other families who are still hoping that the remains of their loved ones will be found."
Alex Attwood, SDLP, said: "The heart of the whole community will go out to the family if these reports prove correct and there will be every understanding and solidarity with the family who may now see the return of their loved one.Alex Attwood, SDLP, said: "The heart of the whole community will go out to the family if these reports prove correct and there will be every understanding and solidarity with the family who may now see the return of their loved one.
"This only confirms that serious questions still continue about the conduct of the IRA in this case of abduction and death and in all the cases of the disappeared." "This only confirms that serious questions still continue about the conduct of the IRA in this case of abduction and death and in all the cases of the Disappeared."
Although he went missing in 1981, the IRA did not claim responsibility for Mr McIlhone's death until 1999.Although he went missing in 1981, the IRA did not claim responsibility for Mr McIlhone's death until 1999.
PrivacyPrivacy
"We hope and pray for good news," read a statement released by the McIlhone family on Monday night. "We also ask the media to respect our privacy and stay away from the family.""We hope and pray for good news," read a statement released by the McIlhone family on Monday night. "We also ask the media to respect our privacy and stay away from the family."
DNA tests on the remains, found on Saturday in the Ballynultagh area, are being carried out. There have been two unsuccessful searches - in 1999 and 2000 - for Danny McIlhone's remains. Tom Brady, security editor with the Irish Independent, said he believed that there should be some confirmation soon.
"They (garda) have been working on this since Saturday. We could have a positive identification reasonably quickly," he said.
"At least it will give some sense of closure to the family."
Mr Brady said there had been ongoing contact between the independent commission for the location of victims' remains and representatives of the Provisional Republican movement which may have helped in locating the remains which were found on Saturday in the Ballynultagh area.
There have been two unsuccessful searches - in 1999 and 2000 - for Danny McIlhone's remains.
In a statement in 1999, the IRA said Mr McIlhone was not suspected of being an informer but was being questioned about stealing IRA weapons.In a statement in 1999, the IRA said Mr McIlhone was not suspected of being an informer but was being questioned about stealing IRA weapons.
It was claimed that he was killed in a struggle with the person who was guarding him.It was claimed that he was killed in a struggle with the person who was guarding him.
The IRA admitted in 1999 that it murdered and buried nine of the Disappeared - Seamus Wright, Kevin McKee, Jean McConville, Columba McVeigh, Brendan Megraw, John McClory, Brian McKinney, Danny McIlhone and Eamon Molloy - in secret locations. The IRA admitted in 1999 that it murdered and buried nine of the Disappeared - Seamus Wright, Kevin McKee, Jean McConville, Columba McVeigh, Brendan Megraw, John McClory, Brian McKinney, Eamon Molloy and Mr McIlhone - in secret locations.
The bodies of four - Eamon Molloy, Brian McKinney, John McClory and Jean McConville - have been found.The bodies of four - Eamon Molloy, Brian McKinney, John McClory and Jean McConville - have been found.
Others who vanished during the Troubles include Gerry Evans, Charles Armstrong, Robert Nairac and Seamus Ruddy, who disappeared in France and whose murder was admitted by the INLA.Others who vanished during the Troubles include Gerry Evans, Charles Armstrong, Robert Nairac and Seamus Ruddy, who disappeared in France and whose murder was admitted by the INLA.