Michael D'Arcy
Question:21 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the powers and functions of the recently announced Garda group examining missing persons' files; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20194/98]
Written Answers. - Missing Persons.
I am sure the Deputy is aware of the high priority I have given the issue of missing persons. I am, therefore, particularly pleased to welcome the recent initiative by the Garda Commissioner in setting up a high-powered group to review a number of these complex and heartbreaking cases.
The new group is based in Naas Garda station. It consists of an assistant commissioner, one superintendent, one inspector, two detective sergeants and two detective gardaí. As members of An Garda Síochána, the members have all the legal powers that that entails.
This group will re-examine the original investigations into the unsolved cases of a number of missing women. They will begin this task by initially reviewing the cases of Annie McCarrick, Jo-Jo Dollard, Fiona Pender, Ciara Breen, Fiona Sinnot and Deirdre Jacob.