Body identified; Tony Lynch to be laid to rest

After 18 years missing, the remains of Tony Lynch are being returned to his family for a private burial to take place later today.

The 54-year-old, father-of-four was reported missing from Clones, and last seen on January 6, 2002.

It comes after remains discovered in a vehicle discovered during a sustained underwater search in the Lough Erne area were positively identified.

Originally from Magheraveely, Mr Lynch had moved to live at an apartment in the Monaghan town shortly before he disappeared.

The authorities were alerted of Mr Lynch’s disappearance after he failed to appear for work at a site in Cavan.

Mr Lynch’s car, a white Mitsubishi Galant, was also reported missing at that time.

A number of lakes in the area were subsequently searched by authorities on both sides of the Border.

Almost a dozen had been trawled at the time of the most recent discovery.

Also involved in those searches, which included flooded quarries in the area, were members of the civil defence and local sub aqua groups.

The submerged car at Lough Corradilar, near Lisnaskea, was discovered by two fishermen on Monday last week, May 18.

The vehicle was located underwater by police divers and later recovered.

Mr Lynch’s body has returned to his family home area in Magheraveely, with burial expected to take place later today in Donagh.