Fresh hopes over 'disappeared' man

Experts in Northern Ireland searching for the body of one of the so-called 'disappeared' have received a map that could provide vital clues.

The fresh information was sent anonymously and indicated a previously unsearched area of the borderland in nearby Co Monaghan where Charlie Armstrong could be buried.

The 57-year-old disappeared from his home near Crossmaglen in Co Armagh in August 1981.

Mr Armstrong's daughter Anna McShane said it was important the sender contacted the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains.

'I would appeal, from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of my mother Kathleen, for the person who sent the map to contact the Commission,' she said.

'All we want is to bring Daddy home for the last time, give him a Christian burial and let us have a grave to visit and grieve.'

The father-of-five went missing on his way to Mass. He is one of 'the disappeared' who is believed to have been murdered by the IRA and secretly buried during the Troubles.

Ms McShane added: 'It's difficult to keep your feelings in check because being one of the families of The Disappeared, is like being on an emotional roller coaster.

'On the one hand this could be the breakthrough we've been praying for over the years and on the other it could lead to further heartbreak.'

Several locations have already been searched near Carrickmacross, not far from the border with Northern Ireland.

A spokesman for the ICLVR said: 'This potentially could be the breakthrough we've been desperately hoping for in our search for the remains of Charlie Armstrong.'

This is the third map which has been received in the case and investigators are taking the new material seriously. They want the person who sent it to contact them in confidence either directly or indirectly.

The commission representative added: 'We have always believed that he is buried in a bogland area in Colagh, Co Monaghan, but unfortunately, searches including one undertaken by the Commission last summer, have been unsuccessful.

'This new information is potentially significant. It is crucially important that we speak to the person who has sent the map.

'We believe we could be close to finding Charlie Armstrong's remains and a conversation with the person who sent this map, could provide that vital, final piece of information we need.'

The 'disappeared' confidential telephone number from Ireland and the UK is 00800-55585500.