02/05/2002

Search for man murdered 20 years ago continues

The search by Irish police for the body of a man believed to have been murdered by the IRA 20 years ago has entered its second day.

Charles Armstrong (57) was last seen on his way to Mass in Crossmaglen, County Armagh, in 1981. His car was later found near Dundalk with traces of gunpowder inside.

Although the IRA never admitted responsibility, it is widely thought that they carried out his murder.

Gardaí began the dig on Wednesday May 1 near Cullaville, County Monaghan, following information received by the Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains.

The Commission was set up after the IRA said in 1999 it would help to find the buried bodies of the “disappeared”.

But so far just three bodies of the nine the IRA admitted to have killed have been found at unmarked graves after being pinpointed by an IRA intermediary.

After massive excavations of sites on both sides of the Northern Ireland border, the remains of Eamon Molloy, who disappeared in 1975, were found.

The remains of John McClory, 17, and Brian McKinney, 23, who were thought to have been be murdered in 1978, were later discovered.

Six other bodies have never been found. (AMcE)


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