A BODY believed to be that of Gerry Evans, one of the “disappeared”, has been located in a bog in Co Louth – just over a week since it was announced the search for the missing man was ending.
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains confirmed yesterday that remains were found at Carrickrobin in Co Louth after a detailed 16-month search.
It will take some time before formal identification can be completed but there is a strong conviction it is Mr Evans, from Crossmaglen in south Armagh, who went missing in 1979.
The commission contacted the Evans family yesterday to tell them of the discovery.
The news brought renewed hope and relief to the family, as just over a week ago they believed the search was ending.
The commission had said it was regretfully halting the dig at Carrickrobin and that work was to take place to restore the land.
The commission and the family at the time issued a plea for anyone with knowledge about where his body was buried to come forward with more detailed information.
It is understood the commission was contacted and provided with such information which led to the discovery announced yesterday. “Information came forward as a result of media coverage of the site being closed,” said a senior source.
Mr Evans, who was 24, disappeared while hitch-hiking outside Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in 1979. He lived close to Charlie Armstrong in Crossmaglen who went missing in 1981. Mr Armstrong’s remains were discovered in July with formal identification following last month. He was buried in Crossmaglen last month.
If the remains found yesterday are confirmed as those of Mr Evans, it will mean the commission has now found eight of the 16 disappeared that are on its list.
