The Disappeared
The term the ‘Disappeared’ refers to those people who were abducted, murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. A list containing ten names was released by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) in March 1999.
The total number within the remit of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains currently stands at 17. The remains of 13 of the Disappeared have been recovered with 4 cases outstanding.
Joseph Lynskey
Missing since 1972
Joseph Lynskey was a former Cistercian monk from the Beechmount area of west Belfast. He went missing during the summer of 1972. Searches for his remains in 2018 and 2024 ended without success. His remains have yet to be located.
Columba McVeigh
Missing since 1975
Columba McVeigh from Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone was 19 years old when he was abducted and murdered in October 1975. Although extensive searches, based on information received, have been carried out at Bragan bog in Co. Monaghan his remains have yet to be recovered.
Robert Nairac
Missing since 1977
Robert Nairac was an officer with the Grenadier Guards on a tour of duty in Northern Ireland when he was abducted in Co. Armagh in May 1977 and murdered. He was 29 years old. A search for his remains in 2024 ended without success. His remains have yet to be recovered. A number of people have been convicted of offences associated with his murder and abduction.
Seamus Maguire
Missing since 1976
Seamus Maguire, from Aghagallon, near Lurgan was aged 29 when he was killed and secretly buried in the Aghagallon/Derryclone area in 1976. While it was initially thought that he disappeared sometime around 1973-1974 it has now been established that after spending time in Manchester he returned to Northern Ireland and was then killed and secretly buried. In February 2022 the Commission announced that it was adding Seamus Maguire to the list of the Disappeared. His remains have yet to be located.