Families of those killed and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries in Northern Ireland today held a silent walk highlighting their campaign to find loved ones.
Relatives of the so-called disappeared want to recover eight bodies which went missing at the heart of North’s conflict.
Kathleen Armstrong carried a black wreath with white lilies symbolising those who have not been found to parliament buildings at Stormont today. This year she removed one of the lilies following the recovery of the body of her husband Charlie in July.
Their daughter Anna McShane said: “We felt silenced as we were unable to talk about our loved ones. It was therefore fitting that we undertake a silent walk for the silenced people.” This time last year the family held little hope that they would ever recover their father’s body.
“Thanks to the dedication of everyone involved in ICLVR (Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains) and to the person or persons who provided the vital information we needed, we have been finally able to lay our dear father to rest and find some closure,” she added.
Mrs Armstrong and her family were accompanied by friend and neighbour Mary Evans, who is awaiting DNA confirmation that remains found last month are that of her son Gerry.
Anne Morgan, whose brother Seamus Ruddy is thought to be buried in France, believes the silent walk is significant for the families.
“We carry the symbolic black wreath with the white lilies which represents those who are still missing. Our walk at Stormont each year is a reminder that our plight is ongoing and that every effort needs to be made to bring our loved ones home for Christian burial.”
Molly Carr, sister of Seamus Ruddy, and Patricia Gearon, sister of Peter Wilson, carried the wreath and with Mrs Armstrong laid the simple tribute on the steps of parliament buildings at Stormont.
Archaeologists and other experts have begun a painstaking examination at the seaside village of Waterfoot in the Glens of Antrim for the remains of Mr Wilson, a 21-year-old from west Belfast with special needs who vanished almost 40 years ago.
The unemployed Catholic man left his house in the Beechmount area in August 1973 and was never seen again.
Fifteen men and one woman disappeared during the troubles at the hands of republican paramilitaries.
PA