The search for the body of a British soldier thought to have been killed by the IRA in 1977 is set to begin in remote farmland, a victim’s commission has said.
Captain Robert Nairac is part of a group of 16 people known as the Disappeared – those who were killed and secretly buried by paramilitary groups.
The British army officer is thought to have been abducted by the Provisional IRA while working undercover in a pub in south Armagh in 1977.
He was taken across the border to Flurry Bridge, County Louth, where he was killed, it is believed.
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR), which has located the remains of a number of the Disappeared, has said it will soon begin its first search for Captain Nairac.
It comes after a preliminary examination of a site was previously carried out at Ravensdale Forest, County Louth, in 2019.
The new search is set to take place in remote farmland in the Faughart area, also in County Louth.
Jon Hill, lead investigator for the ICLVR, said that while Captain Nairac was one of the highest profile of the Disappeared, they had “very little to go on”.
“We believe that we do now have sufficient credible information to warrant a search,” he said.
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The search will be carried out on private land and Mr Hill stressed neither the landowner nor tenant had any connection with the investigation.
He added that the search will also differ from the organisation’s last, which was for County Tyrone teenager Columba McVeigh.
Image: Jon Hill said there was now ‘sufficient credible information’ to warrant a search. Pic: PA
“The area itself is relatively small, less than one acre, and farmland is inherently more stable than the bogland we have had to work on in other searches for the Disappeared,” Mr Hill said.
“And so, while the weather is always a factor we have to deal with, I would hope that we will get a relatively clear run at this one.”
The search is on the site of a 14th century battle and is being supported by Ireland’s National Monuments Service in case they find any historic remains.
The commission will keep searching until it finds the officer’s remains, or are satisfied there is nothing to find at the site.
Mr Hill added: “We are not time-limited but given the relatively small area, by our standards, I do not anticipate a protracted search period of many months.
“The Nairac family have been told that a search is about to commence and we will of course keep them informed of any developments.
“I am not going to put a number on the degree of confidence that we have that we will find the remains of Robert Nairac but what I can say is that if they are there we have the skills, ability, and experience to find them.”
The ICLVR has also reissued an appeal for information about other remaining Disappeared cases, including Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, and Seamus Maguire.
The King and other members of the Royal Family have said they are “deeply saddened” after a number of people were struck by a car during Liverpool FC’s title parade.
The head of state, who is currently on a two-day visit in Canada with his wife, said: “It is truly devastating to see that what should have been a joyous celebration for so many could end in such distressing circumstances.
“At this heartbreaking time for the people of Liverpool, I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.”
Image: Police and other emergency personnel at the scene of the incident in Liverpool. Pic: AP
The Prince and Princess of Wales have also issued a statement, saying they were “deeply saddened” by what happened in Liverpool.
William, who is patron of the Football Association, and his wife Kate said in a message shared by Kensington Palace on social media: “What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.
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“Our thoughts are with those who were injured and to the first responders and emergency services on the ground.”
Image: The Princess Royal thanked hospital staff. Pic: PA
Divisional medical director for surgery at Aintree University Hospital, Marc Lucky, told Princess Anne that medics were “very, very fortunate” that there were not more major injuries.
Consultant Jay Rathore added: “Most of the injuries were limb injuries. No life-threatening, we were able to manage them.”
The princess was already due to be in Liverpool on Tuesday to visit the MS Queen Anne after it arrived on Monday for Cunard’s 185th anniversary celebrations.
Image: The King and Queen are currently on a trip to Canada. Pic: PA
She expanded her itinerary to also meet nurses, consultants, and paramedics, as well as representatives from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the football club, in light of Monday night’s incident.
“We really appreciate you still coming, because it will mean a lot to the people of the city,” Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said as he thanked the princess for her visit.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The princess would like to share her heartfelt condolences and support for the families and communities affected.
“Her Royal Highness also wishes to acknowledge the courage of the emergency services, some of whom she met today, and all those providing care and comfort during this difficult time.”
King Charles says Canada will remain “strong and free” – in a speech viewed by many Canadians as a show of support for the country’s sovereignty following annexation threats by Donald Trump.
It comes after Mr Trump repeatedly suggested that Canada should become America’s 51st state.
Prime Minister Mark Carney later invited Charles, who is the head of state in Canada, to the state opening of parliament.
On Tuesday, Charles said in a speech, written by Mr Carney’s government to open Canada’s parliament, that the country would remain “strong and free”, quoting the national anthem, but did not directly refer to Mr Trump’s annexation threats.
“We must face reality: since the Second World War, our world has never been more dangerous and unstable. Canada is facing challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented,” the King told politicians in the Senate Building in Ottawa in French.
“Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them,” he added.
Image: Mark Carney applauded the King. Pic: PA
Image: King Charles spoke with former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. Pic: PA
In the speech, he highlighted his admiration for “Canada’s unique identity, which is recognised across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values”.
He set out the government’s legislative agenda on the second day of his Canada visit, an honour usually reserved for the governor general.
King Charles is only the second monarch, after his mother Queen Elizabeth II, to do so. The late queen delivered the speech at the state opening of the Canadian parliament in 1957, her first visit to the country as head of state, and again in 1977.
Image: King Charles and Queen Camilla were riding in a horse-drawn landau. Pic: Reuters
Image: King Charles III and Queen Camilla are pictured ahead of the opening of parliament. Pic: PA
Image: Charles and Camilla laid a wreath at the national war memorial in Ottawa. Pic: PA
He said that it has been nearly 70 years since his mother first opened the Canadian parliament, and at the time, World War II remained a painful memory while the Cold War was intensifying simultaneously.
“Freedom and democracy were under threat,” the King said.
“Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect.”
‘So much more than a royal visit’
This trip was so much more than a royal visit, it was all about cementing Canada’s sovereignty.
And what we’ve seen is two short days, poignantly packed with spectacle and symbolism.
From an open-top carriage procession to a theatrical political ceremony – Canada wanted to put on a visual show of sovereignty, and this was a masterclass.
All the stops were pulled out.
The King must sit above politics, but this was a very political visit. He is King of Canada and head of state here.
But he arrives at a time of fractious relations between Canada and the US.
Putting him at the centre of Canada’s parliament sends a strong signal to President Trump.
During the speech, the King added his own warm words, speaking with deep affection about the country. He also spoke of how the crown brings Canada “unity” and represents “stability and continuity”.
And then, reading the words of his government, a punchy message to President Trump. Delivered by the King, the words hit home harder.
When he quoted the national anthem with the words Canada must stay “strong and free”, the applause rose up.
At a time when Canada feels threatened by the US, having the King on side matters.
The King has been walking a delicate diplomatic tightrope in Ottawa. Here to celebrate Canada, without causing offence to politicians south of the border.
President Trump can be unpredictable, but he affectionately holds the King and Royal Family in high regard, and that goes a long way.
The King heads home after just twenty-three hours.
Canada has been visibly boosted – the bond with its King has been renewed and strategically strengthened.
He added that since Queen Elizabeth II’s first Canadian parliament opening, the country “has dramatically changed: repatriating its constitution, achieving full independence, and witnessing immense growth”.
Addressing the protection of Canada’s sovereignty, Charles read out a promise by the Canadian government that it would rebuild, rearm and reinvest in its armed forces.
“It will invest to strengthen its presence in the north, as this region, which is an integral part of the Canadian nation, faces new threats,” he read.
Image: King Charles and Queen Camilla were led by procession to open the first session of parliament in Canada
Image: Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers on horseback rode towards the senate building. Pic: Reuters
Image: King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the Senate. Pic: Reuters
The speech, which was awarded a standing ovation by attendees, was largely written by officials working for Mr Carney’s government, with Charles adding his own comments about his love for Canada.
The King opening Canada’s parliament is a “clear message of sovereignty” and “not coincidental”, Mr Carney previously said.
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King’s Canada visit: Why is it important?
Image: King Charles and Mark Carney during the event
He also revealed that Canadians “weren’t impressed” by the decision of the UK government to offer Mr Trump an unprecedented second state visit to the UK.
Peter Mandelson, the UK ambassador to the United States, has told Sky News he “regrets” his association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Lord Mandelson‘s links to the late billionaire were exposed in a 2019 report by JP Morgan bank, filed in a New York court.
Epstein killed himself in August of that year while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors.
He had previously served an 18-month sentence after pleading guilty to procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution.
Whilst serving that sentence, the JP Morgan report suggests that Mr Mandelson stayed at Epstein’s Manhattan flat.
Epstein wrote to his private banker on 17 June 2009: “Peter will be staying at 71st over weekend…”
At the time, Lord Mandelson was the Business Secretary in the UK government under then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He was appointed UK ambassador to the United States in December 2024.
Image: Jeffrey Epstein. File pic: New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP
Sky News asked him if he did, indeed, stay at Epstein’s flat while the disgraced financier was in jail.
He replied: “I’m not answering any questions about him. My knowledge of him is something I regret, I wish I’d never met him in the first place.”
Asked why he had an association with Epstein whilst he was in jail, Lord Mandelson replied: “Why did many people meet him? He was a prolific networker. And I wish I’d never met him in the first place.”
As US ambassador, Lord Mandelson represents Britain’s interests in Washington and has vowed to treat Donald Trump‘s administration with “respect, seriousness and understanding of where they are coming from politically”.
This comes after Lord Mandelson described the US president as a “danger to the world”, for which he apologised earlier this year.
He told the Alain Elkann Interviews podcast in 2019: “What Donald Trump represents and believes is an anathema to mainstream British opinion.”
Image: US President Donald Trump, vice president JD Vance, and UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson. Pic: AP
Mr Mandelson added: “Even those who have a sneaking admiration for Donald Trump because of his personality, nonetheless regard him as reckless, and a danger to the world.”
But in January this year, Lord Mandelson said he now considered his remarks “as ill-judged and wrong”.