Expert 'could locate Disappeared'

Gareth O'Connor's body was found at the weekend

The British and Irish governments should appoint a forensic scientist to locate bodies of the Disappeared, Sinn Fein has said.

The remains of five people abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA during the Troubles are still missing.

More than six years ago, the IRA said it had identified the graves of nine people murdered by the organisation.

Three victims were found in 1999 while one was uncovered in 2003. They were found in Counties Louth and Monaghan.

The family of Gareth O'Connor, whose body was found at the weekend in Newry Canal, called for all of the bodies of the Disappeared to be recovered.

Mr O'Connor, a 24-year-old father of two from Armagh, had been missing for two years.

Detectives believe he was killed by the IRA. The IRA denied this.

For some time now, up to two years, we have been pressing the two governments to bring in a forensic expert in this field to assist Sinn Fein spokesman

Gareth's uncle Paul O'Connor said the family was very aware of other families whose loved ones were still missing.

"Our hope today would be that all of the bodies would be recovered," Mr O'Connor said.

He said if that happened the families might be able "to come to terms with their situation and to get some closure".

A Sinn Fein spokesman said their "thoughts were with the O'Connor family at this time".

"We will continue to work to seek the return of the remains of those killed by the IRA," he added.

"For some time now, up to two years, we have been pressing the two governments to bring in a forensic expert in this field to assist."

Gareth O'Connor's body was formally identified on Wednesday using DNA tests.

He was reported missing after he failed to report to Dundalk police station in May 2003 in the Irish Republic as part of his bail conditions on a charge of belonging to an illegal paramilitary group.

A police spokesman said detectives were continuing to actively investigate the circumstances of his disappearance.

Bodies recovered

In 1999, gardai recovered the bodies of Eamon Molloy, left in a coffin in a graveyard in County Louth as well as the remains of John McClory and Brian McKinney, whose remains were found after weeks of digging in a bog in County Monaghan.

In 2003, the body of Jean McConville was found by accident on a beach in County Louth.

The 37-year-old was abducted by the IRA from her home in 1972, after she went to the aid of a fatally wounded British soldier outside her front door.

The IRA was unable to give precise enough information to locate the other bodies.

The other victims are:

• Seamus Wright from Belfast: A member of the IRA, he was accused of being a British Army agent and a member of the Military Reaction Force (MRF). He was interrogated and murdered by the IRA in 1972.

• Kevin McKee from Belfast: An IRA member, he was alleged to have been an Army agent and member of the MRF. He was interrogated and murdered by the IRA in 1972.

• Columba McVeigh, 17, from Donaghmore in County Tyrone: Abducted and murdered in 1975 by the IRA after allegedly confessing to being an army agent with instructions to infiltrate the IRA.

• Brendan McGraw, 24, from Belfast: Allegedly confessed to being a British provocateur and MRF member in 1978.

• Danny McIlhone, from Belfast: Said by the IRA to have admitted to stealing weapons in 1981.