A SEARCH IS UNDERWAY for the body of a man with special needs believed to have been killed and secretly buried by republicans almost 40 years ago.

Experts are examining a beach near Larne, Co Antrim, for the remains of 21-year-old Peter Wilson, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

Wilson was last seen leaving his home in the Beechmount area of west Belfast in August 1973. His family believe the IRA is responsible for his disappearance, but the paramilitary organisation has never indicated its involvement.

The search is being conducted by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR), and an excavation of the site is expected to begin next week.

RTÉ reports that the ICLVR has located the remains of seven of the Disappeared south of the border.

Earlier this month, remains believed to belong to Gerry Evans, 24, who disappeared in 1979 are awaiting formal identification.

Wilson’s father died within a year of his disappearance, and his mother passed away in 2007. In a statement his surviving family members said they are relieved a search for his body will start and said they often visited the beech in question with their mother, unaware that Peter may have been buried there.