Actor joins 'disappeared' campaign
Actor James Nesbitt is to back the campaign to find the missing bodies of IRA murder victims.
He is joining a cross-community organisation which supports people traumatised or bereaved by the years of violence in Northern Ireland.
The Ulster-born actor has been patron of the organisation since 2002, but confirmation of him joining was due to be announced in Belfast later today when he meets representatives of the so-called Families of the Disappeared.
These are the relatives of several people who were kidnapped and shot dead by the IRA more than 30 years ago, some of whose bodies have yet to be located despite extensive searches, mainly in the Irish Republic.
Nearly all of them were accused at the time of working as informers for the security forces – charges vehemently denied by the families.
Oliver McVeigh, whose brother, Columba, 17, from Donaghamore, Co Tyrone, vanished after being seized by the Provisionals in Dublin in 1975, said Nesbitt’s backing was crucial in keeping the campaign alive. His mother, Vera, died last May, aged 82.
He said: “Its important we have somebody with such a high profile who will do all he can in our quest to find the bodies. It is greatly appreciated.”
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