First search for murdered Army captain

Other Robert Nairac, pictured in his Army uniform

An area of farmland in County Louth is to be examined for the remains of Captain Robert Nairac, who was abducted and murdered by the IRA while working undercover.

It is the first search for his remains since he was shot and secretly buried in May 1977.

The search has been organised by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR).

It said it has “sufficient credible information” to begin a search of private land in the Faughart area near Dundalk.

Captain Robert Nairac was abducted while operating undercover

Pacemaker Archive black and white image showing Captain Nairac close up wearing beret — Captain Robert Nairac was abducted while operating undercover

Appeals for information

Capt Nairac, 29, was abducted from a pub at Dromintee in South Armagh.

He was then taken across the Irish border to Flurry Bridge, where he was beaten and shot dead.

The location of his remains has remained a mystery.

In recent years, there has been a number of appeals for information made by the ICLVR.

It was established by the British and Irish governments in 1999 to find the Disappeared – 17 individuals murdered by republicans during the Troubles and secretly buried.

The remains of 13 victims have been found to date.

Robert Nairac was at The Three Steps pub in south Armagh before his abduction

Pacemaker Archive image showing a small pub painted white with The Three Steps name in red letters at the top. — Robert Nairac was at The Three Steps pub in south Armagh before his abduction

The ICLVR’S lead investigator, Jon Hill, said: “Robert Nairac is one of the highest profile Disappeared and yet his case is one in which we have had very little to go on.

“We believe that we do now have sufficient credible information to warrant a search.”

The precise location has not been disclosed.

Mr Hill added that “neither the landowner nor the tenant” have any connection to the decision to search the location.

The area is said to be less than one acre in size.

Robert Nairac’s parents Maurice and Barbara, with sister Rosamonde, received his George Cross in May 1979

Getty Images Archive image showing Nairac's family, father Maurice with short grey hair and glasses, mother Barbara with white hat and scarf and sister Rosamonde with short dark hair and dark jacket — Robert Nairac’s parents Maurice and Barbara, with sister Rosamonde, received his George Cross in May 1979

Mr Hill continued: “We are not time-limited but given the relatively small area I do not anticipate a protracted search period of many months.

“The Nairac family have been told that a search is about to commence and we will of course keep them informed of any developments.

“I am not going to put a number on the degree of confidence that we have that we will find his remains but if they are there we have the skills, ability and experience to find them.”

Kenny Donaldson said a “grieving family” had been denied their right to bury their loved one

Kenny Donaldson wearing a grey jumper and check shirt standing in the woods — Kenny Donaldson said a “grieving family” had been denied their right to bury their loved one

Kenny Donaldson, director of the South East Fermanagh Foundation, said the “murder and disappearance of Captain Robert Nairac remains a talking point in almost every home across south Armagh and indeed much further afield”.

“At the heart of all of this is a grieving family who have been defied their basic right to have Robert’s remains and to progress a Christian burial,” he added.

“We pray that the new information which has come forward turns out to be credible.”

The search location is within a wider area of significant archaeological interest.

The Hill of Faughart has been identified as a 14th century battle site.

The ICLVR said it has the co-operation of the National Monuments Service.

The commission has previously dismissed rumours that Capt Nairac’s body was disposed of in a meat processing plant.

It also described claims he had been involved in a number of terrorists incidents, such as the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as “wild allegations”.

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