Frank Murray, the Irish Government’s nominee on the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, has passed away.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said it was “with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of my good friend Frank Murray”.

Mr Murray, a retired civil servant, was appointed in 2006 to the commission set up under the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Flanagan said: “He had a particular commitment to the cause of the disappeared and their families and he never wavered in his pursuit of the humanitarian objectives of the commission. On Palm Sunday of this year, as every year, he attended the Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh for the Disappeared to stand with the families and to show his unstinting support for the return of their loved ones.

“In all of his work Frank was a consummate professional and a perfect gentleman. He has truly done this State some service.

“I want to offer my most sincere sympathies to his wife Maureen and to his children and grandchildren at this difficult time.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”