Seanad debates

Thursday, 4 November 2021

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Robbie GallagherRobbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At a time when news feeds are consumed with Covid-19, COP26, and the Northern Ireland protocol, it is difficult to get media attention for events that happened in our country many years ago. These are events that many of us want to leave behind us. Unfortunately, for some families, those times have never gone away. This past week has seen renewed calls for information regarding the disappearance of Columba McVeigh. The family of Columba McVeigh has made a further appeal for information as part of a walk they hold every year on 2 November, All Souls Day.

In November 1975, the then teenager from Donaghmore, Tyrone, was abducted, murdered and secretly buried. It is believed that his remains lie hidden in a bog in Bragan, in north County Monaghan. Despite a number of searches through the years, unfortunately, his remains have not been recovered. Oliver McVeigh, a family member, has repeatedly made an appeal for anyone with information to come forward. In the words of the family, they are prepared to "let bygones be bygones”.

I would like to echo the call from the McVeigh family this morning. I would like the entire House to echo the call from the McVeigh family, so that this family, which has suffered now for 46 years, can finally bring their suffering to an end. They have suffered long enough. It is time for them to have peace and closure.

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