A body recently discovered in Co Louth has been confirmed as that of Co Armagh man Gerry Evans - one of the “disappeared” missing since the Troubles.
Mr Evans vanished while hitch-hiking outside Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in 1979. He was 24 at the time. It is believed he was murdered by the IRA.
In October, remains believed to be his were found in a bog at Carrickrobin in Co Louth after a detailed 16-month search.
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains said today tests had confirmed the body was that of Mr Evans.
“Dr Brian Farrell, coroner for the city of Dublin, has accepted this as evidence of identification and has authorised the release of the remains to the family,” the commission said. “The thoughts of everyone in the commission are with the Evans family at this difficult time.”
The missing man’s family lived in Crossmaglen, south Armagh, just north of the Border and close to another of the "disappeared” - Charlie Armstrong.
The remains of Mr Armstrong, who went missing in 1981, were discovered in bogland in Co Monaghan in July.
In 1999 the IRA admitted it had killed and secretly buried nine of the 16 “disappeared”, while the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) has been linked to one of the deaths. So far the remains of eight victims have been recovered.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern, who is a Co Louth TD, welcomed the news.
“I do not think those of us who have not experienced what it is like to have a loved one go missing can truly understand the heartache it causes,” he said. “But we can at least give thanks that after 31 long years the Evans family will be able to give Gerry a proper burial.”
