The first search operation to find the remains of Captain Robert Nairac, who was abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1977, has commenced. Nairac, a British Army officer working undercover, was abducted from a pub in South Armagh in May 1977 and taken across the Irish border to Flurry Bridge, where he was beaten and shot dead. The exact location of his death and burial remained a mystery until now.
The search, which is being conducted by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR), is taking place in a private area near Dundalk, following years of appeals for information about Nairac’s fate. The ICLVR, established by the British and Irish governments in 1999, has been tasked with finding the remains of the ‘Disappeared,’ 17 individuals murdered by republicans during the Troubles and secretly buried. The Commission has successfully located the remains of 13 victims so far.
The operation is being led by Jon Hill, the ICLVR’s lead investigator, who expressed confidence in the information that has led to the search. Hill stated that the information is ‘credible’ and warrants a search of the area, which is less than one acre in size. He emphasized that the land’s owner and tenant are not connected to the decision to search the area. The search is expected to be relatively quick, given the small size of the area, but the ICLVR is prepared to continue the search for as long as necessary.
Hill acknowledged the challenges involved in the search due to the area’s location on Faughart Hill, a historical battlefield site. This has required the ICLVR to engage with National Monuments Ireland, adding complexities to the search strategy. The ICLVR’s primary focus is on locating Nairac’s remains, but they are prepared to address any archaeological finds or human remains that are not related to Nairac’s case.
The ICLVR has received cooperation from the National Monuments Service and has previously dismissed rumors that Nairac’s body was disposed of in a meat processing plant. The Nairac family has been informed of the search and will be kept updated on its progress. The ICLVR is optimistic about its ability to locate Nairac’s remains if they are present in the designated search area, utilizing its experience and expertise in such operations.
