A search for the remains of Robert Nairac who was murdered and ‘disappeared’ by the IRA in 1977 has ended without success.

The search got underway in County Louth last August after the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) received new information about his potential whereabouts.

The British intelligence officer was abducted after being confronted outside a pub near the village of Drumintee, in south Armagh in May 1977.

The 29-year-old was working undercover and had entered the pub that night in an attempt to gather intelligence.

Robert Nairac. Image: Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains

He was never seen again, becoming one of 17 people whose bodies were 'disappeared' during the Troubles.

In August a new search for his remains got underway on farmland in Faughart near Dundalk in County Louth.

In a statement last night, the ICLVR said it was “bitterly disappointing” that the search had now ended without success.

“Our thoughts are with the Nairac family, in particular his sisters Rosemonde and Gabrielle,” said ICLVR Joint Commissioners Tim Dalton and Rosalie Flanagan

“The investigation and search team did everything they could to bring about a successful outcome but clearly more information is needed and we would appeal to anyone who has information to bring it to the Commission.

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

Captain Robert Nairac. Picture by: The British Ministry of Defence.

ICLVR Lead Investigator Jon Hill said the information that lead to the search was credible adding that “the fact that we haven’t found Robert Nairac’s remains does not change that”.

“It is our experience from other searches that while we have been in the right area the precise location has not been found first time round,” he said.

“There is always a concern that once it is known that we are starting a search in a particular area that it is assumed that we have all the information that we need and people who could help may think there is no need for them to talk to us.

“Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Anyone with any information on any of the four outstanding Disappeared cases - Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire- is urged to contact the ICLVR in confidence at +353 1 602 8655 and secretary@iclvr.ie.