A search for the remains of Captain Robert Nairac, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA almost 50 years ago, has ended in failure.

He started in August and focused on an area of ​​farmland of less than one acre at Faughart near Dundalk in the Republic of Ireland

It was organized by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR).

In a statement, he said it was “bitterly disappointing” that her remains had not been found.

Capt Nairac, originally from Gloucestershire and living in Sunderland, was abducted from outside a pub in Dromintee, south Armagh, in May 1977.

The 29-year-old Grenadier Guards officer was working undercover.

He crossed the Irish border to Flurry Bridge where he was beaten and shot.

THE the location of his remains remains a mystery Since.

The search, the first to take place and involving mechanical excavators, began after the information was transmitted to the ICLVR.

It is believed to have come from a former IRA member.

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn said she was saddened to learn the search had ended unsuccessfully.

“My thoughts are with his sisters, who continue to live with the pain of not receiving the remains of their beloved brother,” Benn said.

“I thank ICLVR for their efforts and urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to them in confidence.”

ICLVR commissioners Tim Dalton and Rosalie Flanagan said in a statement: “It is bitterly disappointing that the search has ended unsuccessfully and our thoughts are with the Nairac family, particularly his sisters Rosemonde and Gabrielle.

“The investigation and research team did everything they could to achieve a positive outcome.

“But it is clear that more information is needed and we appeal to anyone who has information to provide it to the commission.”

“They can do so knowing that their identity and any information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

Jon Hill, ICLVR’s lead investigator, said he still believed the information received was credible.

“The fact that we have not found Robert Nairac’s remains doesn’t change anything,” he said.

“Based on our experience during other searches, even though we were in the right area, the precise location was not found on the first try.

“There’s always a worry that once we know we’re searching a particular area, we assume we have all the information we need and that people who might help us might think we don’t. There is no need for them to talk about it. We.

“Nothing could be further from the truth.”

The commission was established by the British and Irish governments in 1999 to determine the missing – 17 individuals murdered by republicans during the Troubles and secretly buried.

To date, the remains of 13 people have been found.

The precise location of the search for Captain Nairac’s remains was not disclosed, but it was private agricultural land.

“Our only interest is to return Robert Nairac’s remains to his family so that he can rest after a proper funeral,” Mr Hill said.

“Not being able to do this for almost 50 years is a source of great pain and anguish for his now elderly sisters and for his entire family.

“We must be able to end this suffering.”

A man has been convicted of the murder of Captain Nairac in 1977.

ICLVR previously denied rumors that the soldier’s body was disposed of using a meat grinder.

He also said there was no evidence linking him to the Dublin Monaghan bombings or the Maimi Showband massacre – attacks carried out by loyalists in the 1970s.

Listen Assume Nothing: The Secret Search for Captain Nairac on BBC Sounds.