Search for Columba McVeigh resumes on Monaghan bog

A new search is beginning today in a bid to locate the remains of Columba McVeigh - a week ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Bog in north Monaghan is being excavated to try and find the body of the man who was abducted and murdered by the IRA almost 50 years ago.

Columba McVeigh was 19 when he was abducted in 1975.

Investigators working for the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) will be at Bragan Bog outside Emyvale, County Monaghan.

The last search for Mr McVeigh’s remains in Bragan Bog took place in October 2022. However, operations were paused over the winter because ground conditions on the bog were too dangerous for contractors and archaeologists to continue their work.

The search will work its way up to the treeline of the bog, ICLVR lead investigator Jon Hill has said.

"If we have to clear a section of the forest then we'll do it. Every time we undertake a search the thoughts of everyone involved are with the McVeigh family."

"Our focus is on doing everything we can to bring this search to a successful conclusion."

Columba McVeigh is one four cases being looked at by the ICLVR.

He is among 17 people known as the Disappeared who were killed and secretly buried by paramilitaries during the Troubles. Joe Lynskey, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire are also still missing.

There is a reward for information which leads to the discovery of any of the Disappeared who are still missing. The ICLVR can be contacted by telephone on 00800-55585500 or +353 1 602 8655, via email to Secretary@iclvr.ie or by post to ICLVR PO Box 10827.