Plea for information on 'disappeared'

The Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh, Gerard Clifford, has appealed for more information to help find the remains of the "disappeared…

The Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh, Gerard Clifford, has appealed for more information to help find the remains of the "disappeared" in Northern Ireland.

Dr Clifford was speaking at a special Mass, attended by a large number of people, at Saint Patrick's Church in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh. Politicians and officials from the British and Irish governments, along with US State Department representatives, were in the congregation.

The Mass was dedicated in particular to two local men whose bodies have not yet been recovered. Charlie Armstrong was 54 when he disappeared on August 15th, 1981, and Gerard Evans was 24 when he was last seen hitching a lift from Castleblaney to Crossmaglen on March 27th, 1979.

In his homily, Dr Clifford told the congregation: "Over the years of the Troubles, much has happened that has brought sadness, death and bereavement to many over those years - many brutal and unjust things happened. Today I believe we have moved on. The Good Friday agreement has begun to chart a way forward for peace and justice for we are all in a new situation."

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In a direct appeal to the local community, Dr Clifford said: "Somebody somewhere may have the information that could bring closure to the sadness and distress of these families.

"My appeal tonight is to anyone with any information to communicate that".

Speaking after the Mass, Sinn Féin's MLA for Newry and South Armagh, Conor Murphy, said he did not feel "uncomfortable" with Dr Clifford's appeal.

"Gerry Adams has appealed on behalf of the Republican movement that if people have information which can bring some resolution to this to come forward, in confidence, to ourselves or any other outlet that they feel confident enough to handle the information in the right way."