BY RONAN MCSHERRY

THE latest initiative to locate the bodies of the 'Disappeared' could be the last hope for the families of the victims.

Five people, including Columba McVeigh (17) from Donaghmore, who were killed mainly by the IRA and buried in unmarked graves are still to be found.

Mr McVeigh was kidnapped and killed in 1975 after he allegedly admitted to spying on the Provisionals. A two-week excavation of bogland was carried out near Emyvale, Co Monaghan in 2003, but failed to unearth his remains.

A team of experts including forensic scientists and archeologists has been assembled by the independent commission. They have visited sites were it is believed some of the bodies are buried. Earlier this year, the commission, set up in 1999 to locate the bodies, placed ads in newspapers asking for help. Investigators say the response has provided important new information.

Geoff Knupfer, who is leading the team, said he believed this was the best chance of finding the bodies. "We are collecting information from all over the place, particularly site records, forestry records etc," he said. "We are fairly confident that we are going to have a good shot at this."

The team of specialists who have worked on 'cold cases' around the world are to examine potential burial sites using 'geophysics' radar analysis, detection dogs and advanced DNA technology.

OPTIMISTIC

Mr Knupfer, who assisted in searches for the victims of Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in the 1980's, is "optimistic" that this latest drive will recover some, if not all, of the victims' remains.

Unlike previous searches the work will not involve the massive excavation of earth. Instead, it will entail what the experts describe as, "non-invasive methods."

Mr Knuper was first approached by the commission for the 'Disappeared' to head up the latest inquiry in 2004. Since then he has visited several suspected burial places with members of the IRA on numerous occasions and stated that the republicans are doing "everything they can" to assist in the searches.

He added, "The organisation (IRA) has realised that this issue is not going to go away and in a spirit of cooperation and reconciliation they are trying to help in every way they can. We have had enormous support from the commission, from the governments and from the organisations involved. Really, this is the best shot that I think we are going to get at this."

Vera McVeigh, the elderly mother of Columba, has long campaigned for the return of her son.

Before a previous search, she said she wanted to bury her son's remains before she herself passed on. "I carried my child for nine months," she said, "He was christened in this parish, he made his First Communion and confirmation in this parish. It's not much to ask to get his body to bury him in this parish."

The other victims who have still to be located are Seamus Wright (25), Brendan Megraw (22), Kevin McKee, Danny McIlhone (all from Belfast) and undercover British soldier Captain Robert Nairac (29).