Paisley to meet IRA victim's mum

Columba McVeigh: Disappeared in 1975

The mother of an IRA murder victim has said she appreciates the help of DUP leader Ian Paisley who wants to help pursue the search for her son's body.

Columba McVeigh, 17, from Donaghmore in County Tyrone - one of the so-called Disappeared - was kidnapped, killed and secretly buried in 1975.

Mr Paisley was contacted by the late Monsignor Denis Faul, a campaigner for the Disappeared, asking for his help.

Vera McVeigh said she simply wanted to bury her son with his father.

"I carried my child for nine months," said 82-year-old Mrs McVeigh.

"He was christened in this parish, he made his First Communion and confirmation in this parish. It's not much to ask to get his body to bury him in this parish.

"Mr Paisley will do his best. Mr Paisley's a human being like me and like everybody else that believes that there's a Lord and God above us and that's who I'm depending on.

"Mr Paisley will help us, I hope."

Bogland dig

Last week, Mr Paisley claimed the Dungannon priest had sent him a message shortly before his death telling him not to give in until the families of the Disappeared had retrieved their loved ones' remains.

DUP assemblyman Maurice Morrow passed on the McVeigh family's request for a meeting with Mr Paisley.

"We will leave no stone unturned with government to ensure there is a resolution of this important issue," said Mr Morrow.

It is understood a meeting will take place between the DUP leader and the McVeigh family this week.

In 2003, Mrs McVeigh said she had given up hope of ever finding her son's remains.

She was speaking as police completed a 14-day excavation at bogland at Bragan near Emyvale, County Monaghan.

The operation was the third dig in the area and followed new information passed to the Irish Government by the IRA.

In 1999, the IRA offered to help locate the bodies of the nine Disappeared. Three victims were found in 1999 while one was uncovered in 2003.

The IRA apologised for the grief suffered by the families of the Disappeared in October 2003.