Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams says there is no evidence to tie the IRA to the ‘Disappeared’ Charlie Armstrong.

Mr. Armstrong went missing in August 1981 and was believed to have been murdered by the Provisional IRA. Examiners are still waiting for confirmation on the identity of the remains suspected to be those of Mr. Armstrong in Monaghan.

Meanwhile, searches continue in Monaghan, Meath and Louth for the remains of others believed to be have been murdered and buried during the Troubles.

Adams said that he has been working closely with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains. He urged anyone with information to contact the relevant groups.

Twenty-nine years ago Mr. Armstrong, the 57-year-old father of five, disappeared on the way to Mass at Crossmaglen. No reason was ever given as to why he was murdered.

The area where his remains were found were sealed-off and are being treated as a crime scene.

His remains have been moved to Dublin for examination. It is hoped that the good condition of the skeletal remains will make the process of identification more simple; however, the technical process could take up to one month.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains commissioner Frank Murray said: "We cannot give an authoritative decision on whose remains were discovered, but we would be cautiously optimistic and pleased that we have discovered the remains of Charlie Armstrong as we have no indication of anyone else being buried in the area."

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains was established in 1999. In 2007, the group brought in Geoff Knupfer. Having worked with the bodies of the victims of the Moor Murderers, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley has spearheaded a new approach to the searches.

In 1999, the IRA admitted to killing nine of the ‘Disappeared’. They are Seamus Wright, Kevin McKee, Jean McConville, Columba McVeigh, Brendan Megraw, John McClory, Brian McKinney, Eamon Molloy and Danny McElhone.

So far authorities have located the bodies of Mr. Molloy, Mr. McKinney, Mr. McClory, Ms. McConville and Mr. McElhone.

Gerry Evans, Robert Nairac and Seamus Ruddy also vanished during the Troubles. The INLA admitted to the murder of Mr Ruddy.