In The News

Family funeral planned for Brendan Megraw

Family funeral planned for Brendan Megraw

A FAMILY funeral is being planned for Brendan Megaw, 36 years after he was abducted in Belfast and murdered .

Mr. Megaw, who was 26 when he was abducted by the I.R.A. in the Twinbrook area in 1978, became one of sixteen victims whose bodies remained hidden for years and who became known as the disappeared.

His remains were discovered on October 1 at Oristown Bog in County Meath, and final identification was confirmed in Dublin following DNA tests.

The family has expressed relief that they can finally bring Mr. Megraw back to Belfast and to have him laid to rest.

His brother Kieran, speaking to the BBC, said: “It’s one of massive relief that after 36 years he has been found and shortly we will be given the opportunity to bring him back home to Belfast and to eventually bury him with his mum and dad and family.”

He added: “It’s relief and a sense of joy as well and also sadness. So, mixed emotions.”

Mr. Megraw revealed that finding the remains and being able to organise a funeral fulfilled a wish expressed by his late mother: “Our mum had died in 2002 and it had been her wish that he would be found and brought back to Belfast, so to be able to do this is tremendous.”

And he said his brother would no longer be alone. “He would have always been in our thoughts and prayers, but until you really get the remains you felt that he was alone.”

It is understood the Funeral will take place next week.

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