The pursuit for the remains of clandestine British officer Robert Nairac, categorised as one of the ‘Disappeared’, has been suspended in Co Louth. In August, the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) initiated a search in a diminutive parcel of land in the Faughart region, spanning less than an acre. This marked the first search for Nairac post his secret burial by the IRA following his assassination in May 1977.
Believed to have been on a covert operation, the Grenadier Guards captain was kidnapped from the Three Steps Bar in southern Dromintee, Co Armagh and smuggled across the border to Ravensdale Forest near Dundalk, where he was brutally beaten and shot.
The ICLVR’s joint commissioners, Tim Dalton and Rosalie Flanagan, expressed their “deep disappointment” on Wednesday about the unsuccessful outcome of the search. They stated their empathy lay with the Nairac family, especially his sisters Rosemonde and Gabrielle. Further information was vital, according to the commissioners, who extended an appeal for assistance from anyone able to provide it.
Jon Hill, ICLVR’s chief investigator, maintained the initial information leading to the search was trustworthy. He elaborated that from past experiences, even when the search was held in the accurate zone, the exact locale had not been identified at first. The assumption that all required information was in their possession once a search was initiated in a certain area often dissuaded potential helpers, Hill added, expressing his concern.
Nairac is one of the 17 people referred to as the ‘Disappeared’, who were murder victims clandestinely buried by paramilitary organisations during the Troubles. The whereabouts of three other individuals – Joe Lynskey, Seamus Maguire, and Columba McVeigh – are still unknown.
There have been rampant speculations and contradictory assertions concerning Nairac following his demise. Some believe he played a role in the 1974 bombings of Dublin and Monaghan which resulted in 34 casualties. Chief investigator at ICLVR, Geoff Knupfer, previously dubbed these conjectures as “unfounded”, implying they could deter potential informants from sharing knowledge due to a belief in the fabricated stories.
The ICLVR invites those armed with any credible details to step forward, assuring that all information and the identity of the informant will be maintained with utmost confidentiality. “Our singular objective is facilitating the return of Robert Nairac’s remains to his family so they can give him a deserved funeral.” emphasized Mr Hill.