merrion street

Following the discovery of human remains today in Northern France, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald T.D., has expressed her hope that another family of the Disappeared will be in a position to give a dignified burial to their loved one.   
  
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains have been conducting a search at atPont-de-l’Arche outside Rouen in northern France for Seamus Ruddy who disappeared in May 1985, although a positive identification of the remains discovered today has yet to be made.   
  
The Tánaiste said, “ I hope the discovery of remains in France will move us ever closer to finalising the tragic search for all of the Disappeared. 

“For a family to be bereaved but denied the opportunity to bury their loved one is a terrible cruelty that is hard to imagine. At this time, I would like to remember all of the families of the Disappeared and the suffering which they have endured. In particular, my thoughts are with those families who still await recovery of the remains of their loved ones. 
“I want also to commend the dedicated and ceaseless humanitarian work of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains and its project team. I assure them and the families of the other Disappeared of my and the Government's support for their ongoing work.” 

The Tánaiste added “I would also like to thank the French Authorities for their cooperation and great sensitivity in facilitating this search.” 
  
Ends 
  
Note for Editors  
  
Seamus Ruddy, from Newry, was a 33-year-old English teacher in Paris, France when he disappeared in May 1985.  The INLA admitted responsibility for his death in December 1995.  In February 1999,information emerged to suggest that his body was buried at a location near Rouen, France, but previous searches had not recovered his remains. 
  
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) was established by an Agreement between the Government of the Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom signed on 27 April 1999, and by legislation enacted in both jurisdictions. The ICLVR is responsible for facilitating the location of the remains of victims of paramilitary violence who were murdered and secretly buried.   
  
Information about the missing victims is fundamental to the ICLVR’s work.  The ICLVR needs further information to be able to progress its investigations into the remaining disappeared victims - Seamus Ruddy, Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh and Robert Nairac.  The ICLVR operates a freephone telephone number – 00800 55585500 – and a PO Box address – PO Box 10827, Dublin 2, Ireland – to receive information in confidence which may assist in locating the remains of victims.