Seamus Ruddy family thank those who helped find his body

By PA reporter

The family of one of the Disappeared victims of Northern Ireland's Troubles has thanked those who came forward to help locate his body, after more than 30 years.

On Wednesday, an inquest jury found Seamus Ruddy was killed, having been shot twice in the head in France.

He moved to Paris in 1983 to work as an English teacher, but was reported missing in 1985 and his remains were not found until 2017.

The inquest was the public confirmation the body was that of Mr Ruddy and how he had been killed.

Speaking outside Dublin District Coroner's Court, sister Anne Morgan thanked those who came forward to give confidential information.

The 64-year-old said: "We want to thank the Dublin Coroner's Court for the sensitive way the inquest has been carried out.

"What has brought us here was the murder of our brother.

"Seamus was taken in Paris 33 years ago to the day, this year.

"For the first time in 33 years we were able to attend the cemetery on Sunday and pray at the grave of Seamus' rest with his mother and father in Newry.

"As a family, we would like out heartfelt appreciation (to go out) for those who have stood with us over all those many years.

"We acknowledge that the people who had the information about where Seamus was buried, we want to thank them for coming forward."

The inquest heard that Mr Ruddy had been politically active and produced a "news sheet".

His then girlfriend, Cecilia Moore, moved back to Ireland for a period before his disappearance.

Mr Ruddy phoned his brother Terence on May 9 to tell him he was to meet with three people.

The 73-year-old told the inquest on Wednesday that he pleaded with his brother not to go.

Mr Ruddy said: "When he said he was gong to meet people I just thought that he was telling that for a reason.

"I asked him not go, obviously he did.

"It was a few weeks later when Cecilia rang me, my gut instinct was that he was dead because it was completely out of character for him (not to keep in touch)."

Clothes belonging to the 32-year-old from Newry, Co Down were later found in a river after he was reported missing.

These were identified by Ms Morgan, who said paramilitary group INLA (Irish National Liberation Army) refused to give her permission to go to France and she received death threats.

His body was found in Pont-de-l'Arche, near Rouen on May 6 2017, during a fourth search attempt.