THE REMAINS found in a forest in Northern France have been confirmed as those of Irishman Seamus Ruddy, who was murdered 32 years ago.
On May 2, the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains announced a fresh search had begun in the Pont-de-l'Arche forest in Rouen, northern France for Seamus Ruddy.
On May 6, just four days into the search remains were recovered in the forest.
Now, the ICLVR have confirmed that the remains are of murdered Irishman Seamus Ruddy.
The identification was performed by French authorities through DNA profiling. The ICLVR said his remains will be repatriated in due course.
The 33-year-old English teacher originally from Newry, disappeared in May 1985 while teaching in Paris, France.
In December 1995 republican paramilitary group the INLA admitted responsibility for his death.
Anne Morgan, sister of Seamus Ruddy. (Picture: Kevin Cooper/Photoline)In February 1999 information emerged to suggest that his body was buried in Rouen, France, but despite three previous searches, his remains were not recovered.
Speaking from the search site in France earlier this week, Anne Morgan, a sister of Seamus Ruddy, said: “We just want to take Seamus home and give him a Christian burial with his parents Molly and John.
“We have waited a long time and prayed for the day that he could be given a Christian burial in Newry.”
Ms Morgan also said while the family have received the news they have “longed” for, there are families of the remaining Disappeared still waiting.
“But while we have received the news that we have longed for for so many years we are conscious that there are others still waiting and our thoughts are also with the families of Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey and Robert Nairac,” she said.
‘The Disappeared’ refers to a 16 individuals who disappeared during The Troubles.
The Provisional IRA admitted responsibility for 13 of the 16, while one was admitted by the INLA.
No attribution has been given to the remaining two. To date the remains of 11 victims have been recovered.
