Family members of the Disappeared have attended a special event at Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan to mark International Day of the Disappeared, which takes place tomorrow.
The gathering was organised by the WAVE Trauma Centre and took place against the backdrop of an ongoing search at the bog for the remains of Columba McVeigh, who was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1975.
The centre is the largest cross-community victim and survivors support group in Northern Ireland, which has supported Families of the Disappeared since 1995.
Five white crosses were set in the ground at Bragan Bog to represent Joe Lynskey, disappeared in 1972, Mr McVeigh, disappeared in 1975, Seamus Maguire, disappeared in 1976, Robert Nairac, disappeared in 1977, and Lisa Dorrian, disappeared in 2005.
Among those present were members of Families of the Disappeared, including Dympna Kerr, sister of Mr McVeigh; Maria Lynskey, niece of Mr Lynskey; Michael McConville, son of Jean McConville; and Anne Morgan, sister of Seamus Ruddy.
Former police ombudsman for Northern Ireland and long-time supporter of the families, Nuala O'Loan, was also in attendance.
Prayers at the event were lead by Fr Joe Gormley from Derry.
International Day of the Disappeared is an annual event that aims to draw attention to the thousands of people who have been forcibly disappeared around the world.
Speaking at the event in Co Monaghan, CEO of WAVE, Dr Sandra Peake, said: "It is particularly poignant that we are marking International Day of the Disappeared here at Bragan Bog with those who have endured and continue to endure the indescribable pain of not knowing where their loved one lies.
"Wherever you are in the world where your loved one has been secretly buried, the unifying factor is the need to lay them to rest: a coffin to carry and a grave to tend."
Mr McVeigh's sister, Dympna Kerr, said: "All we want is to bring Columba home to rest beside his mum and dad in Donaghmore.
"If the ICLVR [Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains] are given the right information I know they will find Columba.
"I hope and pray that they do," Ms Kerr added.
The ICLVR was set up by the British and Irish governments during the peace process to investigate the whereabouts of 17 people murdered and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.
While 13 of the Disappeared have been formally found, Mr McVeigh, Mr Lynskey, a former monk, British Army Captain Mr Nairac and Mr Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh, are still missing.
The ICLVR appealed to anyone with information on the four outstanding cases to come forward in the strictest of confidence.
Ms Dorrian disappeared in 2005 and her case is outside the remit of the ICLVR, but anyone with information in relation to her case is asked to contact the PSNI.
