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Disappeared victim was 'deeply committed family person'

Seamus Wright's sister Breige at her brother's funeral in west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell
Seamus Wright's sister Breige at her brother's funeral in west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell Seamus Wright's sister Breige at her brother's funeral in west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell

A PRIEST at the funeral of a man who was abducted, killed and secretly buried by the IRA more than 40 years has praised the "enormous amount of courage, resilience and perseverance of his family."

As he celebrated Requiem Mass for Seamus Wright Fr Brendan Callanan told mourners: "It has taken a long time for us to come to this point but we are here."

The 25-year-old west Belfast man was abducted from Belfast, along with 16-year-old Kevin McKee, in October 1972 by the IRA amid accusations they were British army agents.

The republican paramilitary grouping only admitted killing Mr Wright in 1999, indicating where they had buried his remains.

However, initial searches to locate his body were unsuccessful.

However after fresh digs earlier this year his remains, and those of Kevin McKee, were found in a single grave in a bog in Co Meath in June.

Their bodies were found in Coghalstown during a search to find former Cistercian monk Joe Lynskey who was also abducted and murdered by the IRA in August 1972.

DNA tests confirmed the pair’s identity last week allowing their families to finally give them a Christian burial.

Following Monday's funeral from Mr McKee, mourners gathered yesterday at St Agnes’s Church in Andersonstown for Requiem Mass for Mr Wright.

Fr Callanan described the 25 year-old, who had married three years before his disappearance, as a man who had a "strong religious dimension to his life".

"Together, with other family members he was a member of the confraternity in Clonard," he said.

"Like many young people he had an interest in sport. …amongst personal items found is the programme of the 1968 All Ireland Football Final, in which Down beat Kerry. Also a memento, which carries the signature of Matt Busby. The GAA ban did not get in his way."

Fr Callanan described Mr Wright as a "deeply committed family person".

"It is in faith then that we gather in this church to celebrate the life of Seamus Wright, to thank God for him, his humanity and the qualities which enabled him to be a good person," he said.

During Mass, a set of Mr Wright’s rosary beads, his wedding ring and wedding album were among the gifts brought forward during the offertory.

Mr Wright’s sister, Breige also spoke to express gratitude to those who anonymously provided the information that helped locate her brother’s remains.

She said there was an "extensive list" of people had helped the family through their 43-year ordeal.

"All this was made much more possible because of so many people's efforts... including the people who provided the information to the Commission (Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains)".

She also appealed for any information about the remaining four missing people – Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Seamus Ruddy and Robert Nairac – to be brought forward.