Funeral of Glenavy born Brendan Megraw

Parish Priest Fr Aidan Brankin told mourners at St Oliver Plunkett Chapel, Lenadoon on Friday: “Brendan is finally getting the dignity of a funeral mass and today we pray for the happy repose of his soul.

“Among those November dead lists, his name is written many times along with all those who have loved us or who touched our lives with their love, their friendship and their faith.”

The 23-year-old, who was taken from his home in west Belfast in 1978, was finally recovered from a bog at Oristown in rural Co Meath, last month.

He had been looking forward to the birth of his first child and was due to start a new job on a ship when he went missing.

Brendan was born in Glenavy in 1955 and was the son of Bobby and Brigid. He and the family moved to Stewartstown Avenue in 1961. He went to school in St Finian’s and De La Salle before he became a sign writer and worked in a carpet factory. He was due to start work on the ships and was due to after he was taken on the April 8 1978

Brendan’s brother Kieran also addressed mourners. He thanked the Wave trauma centre for their support.

“It’s been a long journey since Brendan was taken,” he told them.

“As you all know, at that time, we didn’t know what had happened to him and then it turned out that he was never going to be coming back. Days past to weeks and then months and then years.

“Many people have helped us on this journey, to help get Brendan here today.”

He also spoke of his gratitude for the person who had given the relevant information to help locate his body earlier this year.

“There’s been many, many people who have worked tirelessly over the years for the Disappeared, and we give thanks to them,” he said.

“We are grateful for the person or persons who gave the true information that came earlier in the year. It’s given us Brendan’s body back and friends and family have been able to come in and share in the joy of having a wake.”

Fr Brankin also spoke of his mothers heartache at never being able to bury her son.

“His mum Brigid died in 2002,” Fr Brankin said. “At that stage Brendan had been missing 25 years. Brigid prayed for this day, when Brendan was found and he could have a funeral and be buried in the family grave. Unfortunately, Brigid didn’t live to see that prayer answered.

“But she wasn’t just praying for Brendan, Brigid prayed for all those who had been taken.”

During Requiem Mass 17 candles were brought to the altar representing each of the Disappeared.

Other families of the Disappeared were among the mourners including Jean McConville’s son Michael and Columba McVeigh’s brother Oliver.

Following the mass, Brendan Megraw was buried at Chapel Hill in Glenavy.