While considerable progress has been made over the years to recover many of the Disappeared, it is a source of enormous regret that three victims have not yet been located and their remains returned to their families.
The abduction, murder and secret burial of 16 people by republicans during the Troubles is one of the darkest stains in our recent violent history.
Not only were the victims killed in the most brutal and cold-blooded manner but their relatives were subjected to years of pain and torment, not knowing what had happened to their loved ones and denied even the consolation of having a Christian burial and a grave to visit.
Following an unexpected development, hopes have been raised that the final three Disappeared victims may now be found.
In an unusual move, an anonymous donor has offered a reward of 60,000 dollars for information that could help locate the remains of Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey and Robert Nairac.
CrimeStoppers said the reward from the unidentified person amounted to 20,000 dollars for the recovery of each body.
Geoff Knupfer, lead investigator for the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains, which has done outstanding work in what is an extremely difficult and sensitive task, said if any new details did come to light it would be a 'hugely significant breakthrough'.
Mr Knupfer is mindful of the concerns surrounding the payment of money for information about a crime.
However, he points out that the recovery of remains of the Disappeared is fundamentally a humanitarian issue and it is important not to lose sight of that fact.
Columba McVeigh's brother, Oliver, believes the donation is 'great news'.
''Anything that helps the recovery process is very welcome,'' he said.
There is no doubt that without specific information, the independent commission cannot move forward on finding the three missing men, a process not helped by the passage of time.
For the sake of the grieving families, if there is anyone who can assist the commission in any way, they should come forward now.
