The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D. this evening made a call for anyone with information to provide it in confidence, following his meeting with a group of family members of the “Disappeared” victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
During the meeting, the Taoiseach expressed his sympathy for the families’ loss and the ongoing plight of those whose loved ones’ remains have not yet been located and returned to them for burial.
This evening’s meeting is the latest in a series of meetings that the Taoiseach has held with the families of victims of the troubles in the North.
The families presented the Taoiseach with a copy of the recently published book The Disappeared of Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’ which sets out some of their stories.
The Taoiseach also met with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) and was updated on their ongoing work to recover those whose remains are still missing.
The Taoiseach said
“I am glad to have the opportunity this evening to meet with and to hear the stories of those families whose loved ones were taken, killed and then hidden from them in such a callous and tragic way.
Information from the public is absolutely essential to help to bring an end to their pain. I call on anyone with information about any of the cases of the Disappeared to make it available in strict confidence to the Victims’ Remains Commission. I also call on anyone who knows anyone else who may have relevant information to use their influence to encourage them to make it available to the Commission. This is a matter of common, human decency. These families have suffered enough and somebody out there can help to bring an end to that suffering.
The relatives of the Disappeared have for decades endured their loss with dignity, never giving up hope for the return of the remains of their family members for a decent burial.
I recognise the continuing hurt and disappointment of those families whose loved ones have yet to be recovered.”
Information can be passed to the ICLVR at freephone 00-800-55585500 or at PO Box 10827, Dublin 2.
ENDS.
Notes for Editors
A number of people were abducted, killed and buried secretly by paramilitary groups arising from the conflict in Northern Ireland. These victims have become known collectively as ‘the disappeared’. Information about the disappeared is also available at the families’ website www.disappearedni.co.uk
The book The Disappeared of Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’ is available from the WAVE Trauma Centre www.wavetraumacentre.org.uk
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) was established by the British and Irish Governments and it is responsible for facilitating the location of the remains of the disappeared victims of paramilitary violence.
The ICLVR has in place a confidential free-phone number and post office box address through which information about the disappeared can be passed to it. Any such information is, by law, subject to the strictest confidentiality and cannot be used for any purpose other than locating the remains of victims.
Confidential free-phone number: 00-800-55585500
or
ICLVR
PO Box 10827
Dublin 2
Further information about the ICLVR and the Disappeared is available at www.iclvr.ie.