Writer’s of “Lost Lives,” a book detailing casualties of “the Troubles”, have no hesitation in emphasising the importance of Robert Nairac. The controversial and enigmatic figure has continued to intrigue almost half a century after his murder by the IRA, with the moniker “Captain Nairac” earning him an unwavering sense of mystery.
Nairac, serving as a lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards, was abducted from a pub in Dromintee, a southern village in Armagh, undercover. He was then taken over the border to Ravensdale Forest near Dundalk where he was subjected to brutality and ultimately killed.
His case remains unsolved and shrouded in mystery. For many years he was one of only two people, out of the 17 disappeared (individuals who were killed and secretly buried by paramilitaries during the Troubles), who did not have a confirmed, or reasonably suspected, grave site. However, this began to change recently. The beginning of the week saw the commencement of the first ever search for Nairac’s remains in a one-acre site in the Faughart region of County Louth.
Discussing the high profile case, Jon Hill, the lead investigator with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains said, “Despite being one of the most notorious of the disappeared, there existed little information to guide our search.” He added, “We were never granted information that could hint at the location of his grave or where his remains were hidden, incapacitating us from initiating any search operations. However, recent information provided to the commission has been continually assessed and re-evaluated, leading us to a point now where we believe we have credible leads to begin the search.”
The region currently being searched for Lieutenant Robert Nairac’s remains is comprised of roughly three to four sections within an acre of land. This area has not been chosen randomly, but is rather a culmination of numerous pieces of information gathered over the years and more recently. While no individual has provided an exact location for Nairac’s burial, the collective information suggests it is likely within this area. If the remains are found, it could provide resolutions to the mysteries surrounding the life and passing of the 29-year-old lieutenant.
Educated at Oxford and deeply Catholic, Nairac was a recognisable figure in South Armagh even though his precise role was murkier. Questions abound whether he was a liaison officer with the RUC, an undercover operative, or even a part of the SAS — a claim made by the Provisional IRA, who alleged he disclosed this prior to his death.
What is certain is that Nairac, armed with a concealed modified Browning pistol, left Bessbrook British military base on the evening of 14th May 1977. He drove an unmarked, specially equipped car to the Three Steps Inn. His habits aroused suspicion and upon leaving the pub, he was assaulted in the parking lot, kidnapped, and taken across the Border.
In the years that have passed, a number of accusations and rebuttals have been made about Nairac, alleging his involvement in heinous acts including the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings as well as the 1975 Miami Showband killings. These “wild allegations”, as described by Geoff Knupfer, the principal investigator of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains at the time, were addressed in a highly unusual move. Knupfer stated he wanted to dispel these rumours as they might deter those with potential information from disclosing it due to the perpetuated myths.
Knupfer asserted that Nairac, a relatively junior officer, wasn’t afforded extensive autonomy nor was he assigned to manage informants or sources. Claims portraying Nairac as an SAS member were totally baseless, according to him. Furthermore, there was considerable proof showing that Nairac wasn’t even in Ireland for almost all the incidents he’s been implicated in. In fact, during the time when John Francis Green was killed in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, in January 1975, Nairac was actually in Derry.
The narrative that his body was disposed of at a local meat processing facility was mere fabrication, devised to cause confusion, Knupfer informed. He added that the search in Co Louth is now in progress. Hill voiced his optimism, stating that they possess the necessary skills, capability and past experiences to locate his remains, provided he is indeed there, or else their efforts would be futile.
Nairac’s family have been kept abreast of the developments. Their wish remains for Robert to be discovered and returned for a proper Christian interment.