The Disappeared - Update on renewal of reward

Below is a statement by Crimestoppers about the renewal of a reward made available by an anonymous donor for information that helps find the bodies of Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh and Robert Nairac.

A spokesperson for the independent charity Crimestoppers UK said: 

“In May 2019, Crimestoppers announced that an anonymous donor had offered a total of $60,000 for information that results in the recovery of the remains of three outstanding cases of those abducted, murdered and secretly buried during the Northern Ireland Troubles.

“They are collectively known as the Disappeared. The bequest was made in a will with $20,000 each for information leading to the recovery of the remains of Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh and Robert Nairac. 

“Crimestoppers can confirm that the reward has now been extended until January 2027. 

“Since the bequest was made, the donor passed away. This was before a fourth case, that of Seamus Maguire, was accepted by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) in February 2022. 

“The effect of this is that for legal reasons, the original terms of the bequest remain and the reward can apply only to the original three cases. The Maguire family are aware of the position. 

“The reward can only be claimed for information that is passed on directly and exclusively to Crimestoppers UK. The appeal is not about finding out what happened to the victims, but to enable the ICLVR to locate and recover their remains so that they can be returned to their loved ones for Christian burial. 

“We hope that this will help bring the issue of the Disappeared closer to a conclusion.”

To contact Crimestoppers UK, please complete an anonymous online form here on our website. If you are interested in claiming a reward, this must mentioned when you make initial contact and request a unique reward code. 

You can also speak to Crimestoppers and pass on information by calling – from within the UK – 0800 555 111. The UK Contact Centre is open 24/7, 365 days a year. 

To find out more about how to claim a reward, please click here. 

6 March 2024