Army soldiers 'witnessed' abduction of Robert Nairac from outside Co Armagh pub in 1977

Army soldiers witnessed the abduction of captain Robert Nairac, UTV can reveal.

A search is currently underway in Co Louth attempting to find his body. He was murdered by the IRA.

Covert soldiers observing the movements of republicans from a pub witnessed the Grenedier Guard’s abduction in May 1977.

Well-placed sources have confirmed the Army was present that night and had a covert operation in place.

The ordinary soldiers were instructed to observe but not interact. They were dug in right beside the car park.

Nairac’s superiors back at base in Bessbrook knew he was at the pub, but it is not known if any of the squaddies watching recognised him.

Who was Robert Nairac?

Robert Nairac was an Army officer – a captain in the Grenadier Guards.

He is believed to have been abducted by the Provisional IRA while on an undercover operation in a pub in south Armagh in 1977 and taken across the border to Flurry Bridge in County Louth where he was killed.

His remains have never been found.

Captain Nairac is considered to be part of a group of 16 people, known as the Disappeared, who were killed and secretly buried by paramilitary groups.

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