THE BROTHER and sisters of a man believed to have been abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA more than 37 years ago have gathered on a Co Antrim beach were they believe his remains have been found.
Just one week after the start of a systematic high-tech search, based on a tip-off, specialist search teams announced a body had been discovered on Waterfoot beach in the Glens of Antrim.
It is hoped it is that of Peter Wilson, who was 21 when he went missing from his west Belfast home in August 1973. Described by his family as a vulnerable young man, he had learning difficulties.
The discovery was made about midday yesterday, a short time after mechanical diggers had been brought to the beauty spot following a survey of the beach which began last week.
In a statement issued at 2pm the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, the body established by the British and Irish governments in 1999 to search for the so-called “disappeared”, confirmed the find.
“The recovery is ongoing and the formal identification process will take some time,” the commission said.
“The family of Mr Wilson and the PSNI have been informed.” The search team, comprising geophysicists, archaeologists and forensics experts, had been examining the 250m beach with the aid of specialist equipment and a search dog trained in the discovery of human remains.
Its senior investigator is Geoff Knupfer, a Greater Manchester police officer who has worked on missing persons investigations since the so-called Moors murders carried out by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in England in the 1960s.
A short prayer service was held at Waterfoot beach yesterday as local people laid flowers near the scene.
It is hoped the body will be removed some time today, when it will be taken for forensic examination and formal identification. This process could take some weeks.
The Wilson family, who had been on a commemoration march for all the disappeared at Stormont when news of the discovery was made, said they reacted with shock, relief and sadness.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said he hoped formal identification would swiftly follow.
“I again would repeat my appeal that anyone with any information which might help other families locate remains and find closure should bring that information forward.” SDLP North Antrim Assembly member Declan O’Loan said: “The family have waited for this day for so many years and have endured such hurt and anxiety since they lost him in 1973.
“I know how anxious they were to have Peter’s remains returned to them for a dignified Christian burial.” His party colleague Dr Alasdair McDonnell, who was raised near Waterfoot, said: “The decades-long conspiracy of silence which surrounded the disappeared was an attack on the humanity, not just of their families, but of the whole nationalist community. Those who are withholding information on the location of other remains must now come forward.” Seven of 16 people who disappeared during the Troubles have now been found.