asked the Minister for Justice the total number of people deemed to be missing without trace in each year for which there are figures; if he will give a breakdown of the figures by reference to geographic region, county, age and sex; the cases in which inquiries are still pending; and if he will make a statement on any general theories which might explain the numbers of people deemed to be missing without trace or explanation.
Written Answers. - Missing Persons.
336.
The only relevant statistics which are available to me are those maintained by the Garda Síochána. It will be appreciated, however, that not all cases of persons who might loosely be described as missing would be reported to the Garda nor would it be appropriate for the Garda to undertake an investigation of all cases which are reported to them, as some would be cases where the person had simply exercised his or her right to leave without informing others. In general the Garda would investigate the disappearance of a person reported to them as missing where there is some reason to suspect that the person has died, or where foul play is suspected, or where the person is young or mentally ill or deficient or for some other reason may be unable to look after himself, or where the person may have committed an offence by leaving home, as, for instance, where there may be an offence of child neglect.
The available figures are set out in the two tabular statements hereunder. The first table sets out in respect of the years 1949 to 1980 the numbers of persons reported to the Garda as missing and not traced. The second table gives a breakdown of the figures in the manner sought in respect of 1980. The preparation of a similar breakdown in regard to earlier years would require the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time.
In respect of each case referred to in the tabular statements the Garda file will remain open until the person concerned is either located or is presumed dead by a court.
The Garda authorities state that their experience would suggest that reasons for persons "going missing" include domestic trouble, mental illness and restlessness and a desire for change, particularly among young people.
TABLE 1
Number of persons reported missing and not traced.
|
Year |
Male |
Female |
Totals |
|
1949 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
1950 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
1951 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
1952 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
1953 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
1954 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
1955 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
1956 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
1957 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
1958 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
1959 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
1960 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
1961 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
1962 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
1963 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
1964 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
1965 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
1966 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
1967 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
1968 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
1969 |
11 |
4 |
15 |
|
1970 |
11 |
2 |
13 |
|
1971 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
1972 |
6 |
2 |
8 |
|
1973 |
9 |
2 |
11 |
|
1974 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
1975 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
1976 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
1977 |
6 |
8 |
14 |
|
1978 |
3 |
9 |
12 |
|
1979 |
8 |
5 |
13 |
|
1980 |
12 |
8 |
20 |
|
Totals |
130 |
65 |
195 |
TABLE 2
Breakdown of 1980 figures in Table (1)
|
Date Missing |
Age |
Sex |
County |
|
|
Male |
Female |
|||
|
16.2.80 |
36 |
1 |
Dublin |
|
|
14.3.80 |
23 |
1 |
Mayo |
|
|
15.3.80 |
35 |
1 |
Kilkenny |
|
|
20.3.80 |
35 |
1 |
Donegal |
|
|
6.5.80 |
29 |
1 |
Dublin |
|
|
1.7.80 |
41 |
1 |
Kerry |
|
|
1.8.80 |
67 |
1 |
Galway |
|
|
21.8.80 |
34 |
1 |
Dublin |
|
|
10.9.80 |
64 |
1 |
Donegal |
|
|
16.9.80 |
42 |
1 |
Dublin |
|
|
1.10.80 |
26 |
1 |
Dublin |
|
|
11.10.80 |
22 |
1 |
Westmeath |
|
|
25.11.80 |
48 |
1 |
Dublin |
|
|
1.12.80 |
21 |
1 |
Donegal |
|
|
2.12.80 |
58 |
1 |
Laois |
|
|
3.12.80 |
55 |
1 |
Galway |
|
|
3.12.80 |
23 |
1 |
Cork |
|
|
4.12.80 |
37 |
1 |
Limerick |
|
|
12.12.80 |
60 |
1 |
Cork |
|
|
18.12.80 |
57 |
1 |
Dublin |
|
|
Totals |
12 |
8 |