Annual Silent Walk For The Disappeared Held At Stormont

The twelfth annual silent walk has taken place at Stormont to remember those who were killed and secretly buried during Northern Ireland's troubled past.

A total of 16 people were classified as disappeared, and three remain missing to this day.

A search is ongoing for Columba McVeigh from Donaghmore, County Tyrone, who was abducted, shot dead and secretly buried when he was 19.

Former monk Joe Lynskey and soldier Robert Nairac also remain missing.

For the last 12 years, the families of the disappeared have taken part in a silent walk on All Souls day at Stormont.

The bereaved walked together from Carson's Statue to the steps of the Parliament Buildings where they laid the black wreath and three white lilies representing those who are yet to be found.

Father Paul Turley from Clonard Monastery in Belfast led in prayer.

Sandra Peake, Chief Executive of the Wave Trauma Centre which has supported families since the 1990s, said the loss becomes more painful as time goes on.

"As each year passes and the immediate family of those still missing grow older it becomes more difficult for them to take the unimaginable pain of knowing that their loved one lies in some barren and desolate place when they should be resting in consecrated ground," she said.

"They draw huge comfort from knowing that they have the continuing support of those families who have had loved ones returned to them for Christian burial and they know that the thoughts and prayers of those who cannot come to Stormont today are with them always.

"As we gather here today we will be thinking especially of the McVeigh family as the search for Columba continues in Bragan County Monaghan."

Republican's with knowledge of Mr McVeigh's murder have told the commission, in confidence, that he was buried across the border in Bragan bog near Emyvale.

Four previous searches in the bog have not uncovered his remains.

A fifth search commenced in September.



(JG/MH)