THE body found in a bog in County Meath last month has been identified as IRA murder victim Brendan Megraw.
His remains were found in a drainage ditch on Oristown bog, near Kells, by contractors called in to prepare the site for forensic excavations.
Mr Megraw was one of the 17 people murdered in the 1970s and secretly buried or disposed of who became known as the Disappeared.
DNA tests have positively identified the remains as those of Mr Megraw.
Dublin coroner Dr Brian Farrell has accepted this as evidence of identification and will shortly authorise the release of the remains to the family.
Brendan Megraw's brother, Kieran, said in a statement that the family are relieved and grateful that his body has been found.
"He has been alone for nearly 40 years and now we can bring him home and lay him to rest with our mum and dad," he said.
"We want to thank all those who have supported us over the years.”
He added: "Brendan was found because more information came in to refine the search area and we are hugely grateful for whoever provided it.
"We hope and pray that the suffering of those still waiting for the return of their loved ones will soon be brought to an end”.
Mr Megraw was 23-years-old and married when he was abducted from his home in Twinbrook in Belfast in 1978.
His wife was expecting the birth of their first child at the time. She was drugged by her husband’s kidnappers as they waited for his return and was warned not to contact the police.
The Megraw family were only told by the IRA in 1999 that he was one of the Disappeared and his body had been dumped on the bogland near the town of Kells in County Meath.
Three previous searches for Mr Megraw, the most recent in 2010, were unsuccessful.
The Disappeared were abducted, murdered and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.
It is also believed that Kevin McKee and Seamus Wright, both of whom were abducted by the IRA in October 1972, are buried in a bog at Coghalstown, Co Meath.
The bodies of 11 of the Disappeared have recovered to date, whilst the remains of six more are still missing.
