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The Disappeared: 'More than one body' found during search for Joe Lynskey The Disappeared: 'More than one body' found during search for Joe Lynskey
(about 1 hour later)
More than one body has been discovered during a search for one of the Disappeared in the Republic of Ireland.More than one body has been discovered during a search for one of the Disappeared in the Republic of Ireland.
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) had found remains it believes to be of Joe Lynskey at a bog in County Meath.The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) had found remains it believes to be of Joe Lynskey at a bog in County Meath.
He was abducted in west Belfast in 1972, and was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA.He was abducted in west Belfast in 1972, and was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA.
But after Thursday afternoon's find, the ICLVR said more remains had since been discovered.But after Thursday afternoon's find, the ICLVR said more remains had since been discovered.
The term the Disappeared refers to victims who were murdered and secretly buried by republicans during the Troubles.The term the Disappeared refers to victims who were murdered and secretly buried by republicans during the Troubles.
Senior investigator Jon Hill said identification was at an early stage and it would be a difficult recovery process.Senior investigator Jon Hill said identification was at an early stage and it would be a difficult recovery process.
He said the bodies of two of the Disappeared, Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee, were "believed to be buried within a couple of hundred yards of here".He said the bodies of two of the Disappeared, Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee, were "believed to be buried within a couple of hundred yards of here".
"There are most certainly two bodies - we're at quite an early stage but there may be more," he said."There are most certainly two bodies - we're at quite an early stage but there may be more," he said.
"We were looking for Joe Lynskey, expecting it to be a single grave and quite clearly that isn't the case.""We were looking for Joe Lynskey, expecting it to be a single grave and quite clearly that isn't the case."
Kevin McKee and Seamus Wright were both IRA members who were abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1972.Kevin McKee and Seamus Wright were both IRA members who were abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1972.
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".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."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 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 state pathologist will now conduct a post-mortem examination and begin the process of formal identification.
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, Ms Lynskey 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.
She said her family had suffered "years of pain" after his abduction.She said her family had suffered "years of pain" after his abduction.
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: "The uncertainty over who has been recovered must be hugely traumatic for the families involved."
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". He added: "I thank everyone who has helped in the search of the remains of those who were killed and secretly buried by the IRA.
"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. "Republicans have co-operated fully with the commission and we now need to continue to do our utmost to bring closure for the remaining families."
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.