Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to meet with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains

The Commission was established by an intergovernmental agreement between the Irish and British Governments in 1999 and by legislation enacted in the two jurisdictions.

It is responsible for facilitating the location of the remains of victims of paramilitary violence who were murdered and buried arising from the conflict in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Justice, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Office, provides financial support for the Commission.

The Committee is due to hear from:

·        Tim Dalton, Commissioner, Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains

·        Rosalie Flanagan, Commissioner, Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains

·        Geoff Knupfer – Lead Forensic Scientist and Investigator for the Location of Victims' Remains

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Fergus O’Dowd TD said:

“We welcome the opportunity to hear from the Commission. This is the first time that the two Commissioners Tim Dalton and Rosalie Flanagan will address the Committee.”

“Information about the missing victims is crucial to the Commission’s work and it needs further information to be able to progress its investigations into the remaining three disappeared victims - Joe Lynskey, Robert Nairac and Columba McVeigh.”

“While work of the investigators has been hindered by the pandemic, we look forward to hearing about the progress on their investigations into victims whose remains have not been recovered and for those whom the search continues.”

“The Commission is engaged in important work and I wish to re-iterate the importance of more people coming forward with information that may help the Commission with their investigations. Any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence and could help to bring closure to victims and their families.”