Bishop Michael Smith.

Bishop joins appeal for more information on disappeared

Bishop Michael Smith, the Bishop of Meath, has made a fresh appeal for information that might help to find the bodies of victims who disappeared during the Troubles in the North. 

His comments were made as a search continues at Coghalstown between Wilkinstown and Oristown, for the body of Belfast man Joe Lynskey is believed to be buried.

At the close of the Confirmation ceremony in Oristown parish on Wednesday, Bishop Smith said: 'You will be aware that the Commission searching for The Disappeared is engaged at present in another search at Coghalstown bog, prompted by new information received.

'That four young men were murdered and their bodies dumped in unmarked graves in this area is a deep stain on the good name of this parish. These actions have brought immense pain and suffering to their extended families over the past 40 years.

'All the families want is to give their loved ones a decent Christian burial. No retribution is suffered by anyone giving information since a law enacted both here and in Britain protects them. Sadly, there may be people in the area that have information which would help in bringing closure to this sorry saga.'