Tributes to a man dedicated to finding the remains of people ‘disappeared’ by IRA

SPECIAL prayers for all those brutally “disappeared” by the IRA were said at the funeral of a man who led efforts to have their remains recovered and buried by loved ones.

Frank Murray, former head of the Irish civil service, worked for 11 years as co-director of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR). At his funeral Mass in Foxrock, Dublin, his son Paul said he was dedicated to this after his retirement as secretary to the government.

His father’s big regret was that remains of three of the 16 concerned are still unlocated and these people – Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey and Robert Nairac – were given special mention during prayers.

Mr Murray’s co-director of the ICLVR, Kenneth Bloomfield, a former head of the Northern Ireland civil service, also attended.

President Michael D Higgins led the official attendance, which included senior politicians, civil servants, gardaí and Army personnel.

Mr Murray (76) retired from the civil service in 2000 but did a number of jobs for the government, right up until his sudden death last Saturday.

Mr Murray also served as a director of Independent News & Media, and Terry Buckley, an INM director, represented the company at his funeral.

An Taoiseach was represented by aide de camp Comdt Caroline Burke. Others attending included former ministers Alan Dukes and Mary Hanafin, and former government press secretary Joe Lennon.

Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Fr Arthur O’Neill, parish priest of Foxrock, and Fr Paul Turley, a Redemptorist from Clonard Monastery, Belfast.

Also assisting at the Mass was Dermot McCarthy, Mr Murray’s successor to the most senior job in the national administration. Since his retirement he has been ordained a deacon and he read the gospel yesterday.