The Five Demands

Pare probabile il ritrovamento dei resti umani di uno degli 11 Torubles Deseappered

Potrebbero essere di Charlie Armstrong i resti ritrovati nella contea di Monaghan. L’uomo venne rapito nel 1981 a South Armagh.
In una dichiarazione a nome dell’Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, il Northern Ireland Office ha dichiarato: “L’Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, nella sua ricerca il corpo di Charlie Armstong, ha trovato resti umani in Co Monaghan”.
“Il recupero è in corso e il processo di identificazione formale richiederà un certo tempo”.
“La famiglia del signor Armstrong, il Garda Síochána e patologi dello Stato sono stati informati.”
La vedova Armstrong commentando la notizia ha affermato: “Io non lo auguro a nessuno – è la cosa peggiore che sia mai successo. Ma speriamo che questo sia vero e che pure il resto delle famiglie possano riavere i loro cari.”
Ora forse la famiglia potrà dare una degna sepoltura al proprio congiunto, di cui l’IRA non ha mai rivendicato il rapimento e l’uccisione.
Il gruppo paramilitare repubblicano ha ammesso nel 1999 di aver assassinato e sepolto in località segrete, nove dei desaparecidos: Seamus Wright, Kevin McKee, Jean McConville, Colomba McVeigh, Brendan Megraw, John McClory, Brian McKinney, Eamon Molloy e Danny McElhone.

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Family welcome body find in Disappeared search (U TV)
The body of one of the Disappeared is believed to have been found in County Monaghan, near the Irish border.
It is believed it may be the remains of Crossmaglen man Charlie Armstrong, who was abducted in South Armagh on his way to mass in 1981.
His body has not been formally identified but his widow Kathleen Armstrong is hopeful that this is the news the family have been waiting for.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone – it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened. But let’s hope this is true and that the rest of the families get their loved ones as well.”
Their son Terry Armstrong says he just wants to hold a Christian burial for his father: “Hopefully it’s a great conclusion and that we will get what we’re hoping and praying for. It’s one of those things you’ll never forget.
“Hopefully the good will outweigh the bad and we’ll get him home and be happy.”
In a statement on behalf of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, the Northern Ireland Office told UTV:
“The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains in its search for the body of Charlie Armstong has found human remains in Co Monaghan”.
“The recovery is ongoing and the formal identification process will take some time”.
“The family of Mr Armstrong and Garda Síochána and state pathologists have been informed.”
The IRA didn’t claim responsibility for the murder of the father of five but Mr Armstrong was always believed to be a republican victim.
Map
Last July, forensic experts searching for Mr Armstrong’s remains were handed a map which was thought could provide vital clues.
The fresh information was sent anonymously and indicated a previously unsearched area in Co Monaghan.
At the time, several locations had already been searched near Carrickmacross, not far from the border with Northern Ireland.
Commenting on reports that the remains of Charlie Armstrong have been discovered, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said:
“If this is true it will come as a huge relief to the family of Charlie Armstrong who for almost three decades have never given up hope of finding him”.
“I have met the family many times and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time and as they await confirmation.
“I would appeal for anyone with any information that might help other families locate remains and find closure to bring that information forward.”
In total, fifteen people ‘disappeared’ during the Troubles.
The IRA admitted in 1999 that it murdered and buried nine of the Disappeared – Seamus Wright, Kevin McKee, Jean McConville, Columba McVeigh, Brendan Megraw, John McClory, Brian McKinney, Eamon Molloy and Danny McElhone – in secret locations.
The bodies of Mr Molloy, Mr McKinney, Mr McClory, Ms McConville and Mr McElhone have been found.
Others who vanished during the Troubles include Gerry Evans, Robert Nairac and Seamus Ruddy, who disappeared in France and whose murder was admitted by the INLA.
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains was set up by the British and Irish Governments in 1999 and reports to the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast and the Irish Justice Department in Dublin.
On Thursday, the Republic’s Justice Minister, Dermot Ahern, thanked the commission for its work in the last number of years.
“Their work is very valuable in bringing closure for the families of the Disappeared,” he said.
“It allows families the opportunity to say a final farewell by burying their loved ones with dignity and at family graveyards which they can visit and pay their respects.
“I can’t comment in relation to the latest victim as gardai and the commission will have to formally identify the individual but our thoughts are with the family at this distressing time.”