Adams appeal over the Disappeared

Jean McConville was a mother of 10

Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams has called for anyone with information about the bodies of people killed and secretly buried by the IRA to come forward.

He said he expected work to start this spring to implement the work of a government-appointed forensics expert.

He said those involved must "have all the information possible to make their efforts a success".

Nine people murdered and secretly buried by the IRA during the 1970s became known as the Disappeared.

The remains of four have been found, the latest in 2003.

IRA members involved in the killings have previously visited burial sites with a forensics expert.

Three decades

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Adams said he was mindful not to raise expectations by the families.

"However, if there is any other information available which might help I am appealing for those with it to now bring it forward," he said.

"This is particularly the case in respect of the disappearance of Charlie Armstrong, whose family I have met a number of times."

Mr Adams said he wanted "this matter finally resolved"

He added: "This tragedy has gone on for almost three decades. The families have suffered enormously. I want to make 2007 the year this matter is finally resolved for these families."

The remains of mother of 10 Jean McConville, who the IRA claimed had been an "informer" who passed information to the British security forces, were discovered in 2003.

In 1999, the IRA admitted they had killed Mrs McConville and several other of the Disappeared, but alleged some of them had been informers.

Mrs McConville, who was a widow, was killed after she went to the aid of a fatally wounded British soldier outside her home in west Belfast's Divis flats.

Her remains were finally found at Shelling Hill beach in County Louth in the Irish Republic in August 2003.