Funeral of 'disappeared' takes place

The funeral has taken place in Crossmaglen of Co Armagh man Gerry Evans - one of the “disappeared”, missing since 1979.

The funeral has taken place in Crossmaglen of Co Armagh man Gerry Evans - one of the “disappeared”, missing since 1979.

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.

Mr Evens' funeral was held at St Patrick's Church in the Co Armagh town. He was  buried at St. Patrick’s cemetery, adjacent to the church, following the church service.

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The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains confirmed last week that tests had confirmed the body was that of Mr Evans.

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.