‘Disappeaared’ IRA murder victim Joe Lynskey

THE niece of a former monk turned Provo who was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA has appealed for help to find his remains ahead of her visit to the search site.

Joe Lynskey was abducted in Belfast in 1972 and became one of the Disappeared.

His niece, Maria Lynskey, will visit Coghalstown, Co Meath, later today where a search for his remains was launched in March this year.

The specialist search and recovery operation is being carried out by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR).

Before making her visit, Ms Lynskey said: “This is a very difficult journey to make.

“Even though Joe was the first of the Disappeared the family didn’t know that until 2010.

“The thought that he has been left here for over 40 years is almost unbearable. Now we need to bring him home to give him the Christian burial that he was denied all those years ago”.

Mr Lynskey was a former Cistercian monk from the Beechmount area of west Belfast who later joined the IRA.

He was abducted close to his home in August 1972 and has never been seen since.

ICLVR forensic investigators have narrowed the search at Coghalstown down to around 15 acres of bogland.

The organisation believes two other Disappeared victims – Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee – may also be secretly buried close by in the same bog.

Ms Lynskey added: “I am convinced that there is more information that could be brought forward not only in Joe’s case, but also about Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee who could be close by.

“The only reason we want anyone with information to come forward is to find the remains of our loved ones.

“One piece of information could ease years of pain.”