[2] O'Connor disappeared after driving through Newtownhamilton in 2003, en route to Dundalk Garda station, where he regularly reported as part of bail conditions imposed after he was charged in the Republic of Ireland with membership of the Real IRA.
[3] In May 2003, Monsignor Denis Faul stated that he believed an armed group was involved in O'Connor's disappearance: What I'm really afraid of is that he will join the 'disappeared'.
I have been dealing with people who have been missing their dear ones for 28 years.On 11 June 2005, O'Connor's body was discovered in his car in Newry Canal, County Down.
Mark O'Connor said: "I gave those names [of the killers] to Gerry Kelly [Sinn Féin assembly member].
It is our belief that the family should look towards either the republican micro organisation Gareth O'Connor was suspected to be involved with or the Special Branch he was alleged to be working for to further their search for justice.