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Wreath for the 'Disappeared' laid at Stormont

Actor James Nesbitt, centre left, walking with Joe Lynskey's niece Maria, centre, and Columba McVeigh's sister Dympna Kerr, centre right
Actor James Nesbitt, centre left, walking with Joe Lynskey's niece Maria, centre, and Columba McVeigh's sister Dympna Kerr, centre right

The final remaining members of the Disappeared have been remembered at Stormont during an annual silent walk on All Souls Day.

Seventeen people were killed and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.

In 2005, Co Down hairdresser Lisa Dorrian was also disappeared.

They have been remembered by their families and supporters during an annual silent walk on All Souls Day.

A black wreath with five white lilies representing those who have yet to be found - Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac, Seamus Maguire and Ms Dorrian - was laid at the steps of Parliament Buildings.

Father Joe Gormley lead prayers with contributions from family members.

Members of the families of the Disappeared began the walk at Carson's Statue
Families of the Disappeared at the steps of Parliament Buildings where the wreath was laid

Representatives from the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR), which found a number of the Disappeared, also attended as well as actor James Nesbitt who is a patron of the Wave Trauma Centre, which supports the families of the Disappeared.

Sandra Peake, chief executive of the Wave Trauma Centre, said it is an important date for them.

"This is an important and highly symbolic event for the families and that is why, despite advancing years and in some cases serious illness, so many make the effort to join together in mutual support and solidarity," she said.

Columba McVeigh's sister Dympna Kerr laid the black wreath with five white lillies on the steps

This year's event comes as the latest search for Mr McVeigh at Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan draws to a close.

Ms Peake said the families will never allow their loved ones to be forgotten.

"Part of the terrible, sinister purpose of disappearing those who had been abducted, murdered and secretly buried was to dehumanise them, to treat them as if they never existed and to deny their families the chance to properly grieve," she said.

"But as the families coming together today shows this will never be allowed to happen."

The search for Columba McVeigh's remains at Bragan Bog in Monaghan

Ms Peake said while Ms Dorrian's disappearance in 2005 is outside the remit of the ICLVR, which can only take cases from before 10 April 1998, the date of the Good Friday Agreement, Wave includes her as one of the Disappeared.

Anyone with information on any of the four outstanding ICLVR Disappeared cases should contact the ICLVR by telephone: 00800-55585500, email secretary@iclvr.ie or by post to: ICLVR PO Box 10827.

Anyone with information about Ms Dorrian should call the detectives working on the case on 101 or they can provide information without leaving their name or giving their details through the independent charity Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.