The body discovered last month on a beach at a Glens of Antrim beauty spot is that of one of the Disappeared, the Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) has confirmed.
Peter Wilson, a 21-year-old Falls Road man with learning difficulties, went missing from his home in August 1973.
It is thought he was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA at Waterfoot beach, Co Antrim. His parents and family used to spend summer holidays there unaware that their missing loved one was buried near the dunes.
His identity was confirmed today after six weeks of DNA and other tests were carried out. His body is now being released to his family and funeral arrangements are expected to be announced shortly.
A search was begun on Waterfoot beach last October by specialists brought in by the ICLVR after reliable information was received about the killing of Mr Wilson and the probable location of his grave.
It was expected that the search could have taken months, but human remains were discovered and removed for examination within days of the commencement of the search.
The murdered man’s sister, Anne Connolly, said the confirmation was received with “a mixture of relief and great sadness”.
Family members have said they are especially sorry that their parents did not live to see the Christian burial of their son.
Mr Wilson’s is the seventh body to have been located, recovered and positively identified by the ICLVR and the third since the summer.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern praised the ICLVR for its work, saying his thoughts were with the Wilson family at this time.