New Information on Disappeared Cases Uncovered by Say Nothing TV Series Investigator

Investigators searching for The Disappeared have received new information following the release of the Disney+ series Say Nothing. Lead investigator Jon Hill shared with The Irish Times that a few individuals who watched the drama have come forward, though it is too soon to determine the significance of this information. The show, consisting of nine episodes, aired in late 2024 and is based on the book by Patrick Radden Keefe, focusing on cases like the disappearances of Jean McConville and Joe Lynskey. These individuals were part of the group abducted, killed, and secretly buried by republicans during the Troubles, with four victims still unaccounted for.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains is at the forefront of efforts to find these missing individuals. Mr. Hill, a former senior Met detective and lead investigator with the commission established by the UK and Irish governments in 1999, mentioned that they have been contacted by a small group of individuals linked to Say Nothing. The impact of the series has spurred some people to share information they believe could be relevant, although the value of this information is yet to be determined.

Mr. Hill described the series as “quite powerful,” reflecting on its emotional impact but also raising concerns about its accuracy. He refrained from delving into specifics due to the limitations on what can be disclosed. Despite these reservations, the series appears to have sparked public interest in the ongoing search for the remaining missing individuals.

To date, the remains of 13 individuals have been recovered, while four, including Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Seamus Maguire, and Robert Nairac, remain missing. Efforts to identify Mr. Lynskey’s remains are ongoing, with November seeing the exhumation of remains from a cemetery in Co Monaghan following reports of suspicious activity. The process to conclusively identify these remains is still underway.

In another development, a republican disclosed the names of three individuals purportedly involved in the IRA disappearance of Mr. McVeigh, who went missing in 1975. Despite multiple searches in Co Monaghan, Mr. McVeigh’s remains have yet to be discovered. The ICLVR encourages anyone with information to contact them confidentially.