Human Remains Recovered In Disappeared Dig In Co Meath

Human remains have been found at Coghalstown, Co Meath, during a search for the body of Joe Lynskey.

A contractor working on behalf of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR), and under supervision of a forensic archaeologist, made the discovery while investigating the disappearance on Mr Lynskey in 1972.

According to reports it is understood that the remains of more than one body have been found in the dig.

Once the remains have been recovered the State Pathologist will being post-mortems and the process of formal identification.

Commenting on the news of the discovery, Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams, said: "I welcome the discovery by the Commission of remains in county Meath. The uncertainty over who has been recovered must be hugely traumatic for the families involved. I am sure that the Commission will move as speedily as it can to verify the identity of those who have been found.

"I thank everyone who has helped in the search of the remains of those who were killed and secretly buried by the IRA. 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.

"Today’s discovery is an important step toward the recovery of all of those killed and secretly buried.

"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.

"Any information passed to the Commission cannot be used in a court of law or transmitted to any other agency and those passing on this information have absolute immunity in relation to this information."

(MH)