Armstrong family joins other relatives of Disappeared for Stormont service

The family of Crossmaglen man Charlie Armstrong joined the other families of the Disappeared at an All Soul’s Day service at Stormont on Sunday past.

Prior to the event, his daughter Anna McShane said that all her family wanted was to be able to give their father a Christian burial. 

“There are people we know and meet every day that know something, and it’s those people that we’re actually begging now to come forward,” she said. 

“We want them to finally realise that we’re not looking for any kind of retaliation. If they come to me and said I’m the one who was the cause of it, I’d feel sorry for them. 

“I would still put my arm around them and say thank you for coming to me and thank them for any information. We just want to find his body, to bring peace and closure to this family.” 

Charlie Armstrong disappeared on his way to Mass in Crossmaglen on Sunday 16th August 1981.  Despite a number of searches, his body has never been located. assembly debate

Meanwhile, in advance of Monday Assembly debate on the Disappeared, SDLP Newry and Armagh Assembly Member Dominic Bradley has called on those with information on the whereabouts of those missing, to come forward and end the suffering of the families.

“Throughout the history of the Troubles many individuals have been killed and many families and communities have struggled with the aftermath. The overwhelming majority of families have had the consolation of waking and burying their dead in accordance with the rites of the faith in which they were raised,” said Mr Bradley.

“The families of the Disappeared who have not yet had the remains of their loved ones returned to them, have not had even that possibility open to them.  Surely that is not too much to ask in a civilised, Christian country that people be afforded the right to bury their dead?” he asked.

“The Commission for the Disappeared has been set up for 10 years now – in that time Northern Ireland has moved on to such an extent that there can be no reason for anyone with information not to come forward. It is important that this message is conveyed as widely as possible.”