THE CROSS-BORDER body investigating the whereabouts of the so-called “disappeared” has received what it believes could be “potentially significant” information concerning a south Armagh man who went missing in 1981.
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains said yesterday it had received new information relating to Charlie Armstrong.
The information concerns a map, received from an anonymous source, of an area in Co Monaghan that has not been searched by experts skilled in uncovering secretly buried human remains.
After consulting the dead man’s family, the commission is appealing to the person who sent the map to contact them in confidence, either directly or indirectly.
“This potentially could be the breakthrough we’ve been desperately hoping for in our search for the remains of Charlie Armstrong,” the commission said in a statement. “We have always believed that he is buried in a bogland area in Colgah, Co Monaghan, but unfortunately, searches, including one undertaken by the commission last summer, have been unsuccessful.”
The commission added: “It’s clear that there is someone out there who has significant information on where Charlie Armstrong is buried, and wants to bring closure to the family who have suffered so much over the last 28 years. We would appeal to that person to come forward and speak to us in confidence under the protections offered by the Commission so that we can finally, after all these years, return the remains of Charlie Armstrong to his family for a Christian burial.”
The statement quotes Mr Armstrong’s daughter Anna McShane as saying it is important that the person who sent the map makes contact.
“I would appeal, from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of my mother Kathleen, for the person who sent the map to contact the commission.
“All we want is to bring Daddy home for the last time, give him a Christian burial, and let us have a grave to visit and grieve.”
Searches also continue for the bodies of Séamus Wright, Kevin McKee, Columba McVeigh, Brendan Megraw, Gerry Evans, Robert Nairac and Séamus Ruddy.