HUMAN remains found in County Meath at the start of October were those of West Belfast man and one of the IRA’s ‘Disappeared’ victims, Brendan Megraw, it was confirmed this week.
Brendan’s remains were found in a drainage ditch on Oristown Bog, near Kells, by contractors called in to prepare the site for forensic excavations.
Brendan was one of 17 people whose remains were buried in secret graves after they were killed by the IRA. The 23-year-old was taken from his Twinbrook home on April 8, 1978. He had been recently married and was awaiting the birth of his child.
Speaking to the Ander-sonstown News, Brendan’s brother Kieran said the confirmation of the identity of the remains was “a massive relief for the family”.
“There is a sense of joy we have found Brendan but also sadness that you are going to be burying your brother,” he said. “We will be holding a press conference tomorrow (Thursday) at WAVE Trauma Centre when hopefully we will have the information from the coroner on the release of Brendan’s body so we can make the final arrangement for his funeral.
“There has been such a range of emotions since the family got confirmation on Monday, we have been waiting 36 years for this news. When we got the news about the remains on October 1, myself and my sister Deirdre travelled to Oristown along with members from WAVE. The local priest was there and it was really, really dark, there were no houses, no cars. We were in total darkness but were able to say the Rosary at the site by candlelight. It was a poignant moment.”
Kieran said the family hope to hold Brendan’s funeral next week. “We want to say thanks to everyone that has helped us get to the point, the staff from WAVE, and we are grateful that someone did come forward with new information at the start of the summer.
“We would continue to appeal for any information connected to any of the Disappeared.”
