Vol. 504 No. 2
34 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons listed as missing persons in 1998; the number of these persons who were subsequently found; the number of persons still missing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11467/99]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 1998 a total of 2,015 persons were reported to the gardaí as missing, of whom 14 remained untraced at the end of the year. While it is of little consolation to the families of the loved ones who are still missing, over 99 per cent of those who are reported missing turn up.
As I previously told the House, the Trace group, which consists of an assistant commissioner, one superintendent, one inspector, two detective sergeants and two detective gardaí, is based in Naas Garda station. The group was set up to specifically re-examine a number of the original investigations of missing persons cases. It has begun this task by initially reviewing the cases of six high profile missing persons cases. I am informed by the Garda authorities that other cases that may be relevant are also being reviewed.
Operation Trace, since its inception, has attracted widespread media interest. This, coupled with the TV series "Solved and Unsolved", has encouraged the public to report incidents not previously reported. We would all agree that, in general, media interest and coverage of the operation has been positive.
Operation Trace is currently collating information received from within the force and the public on crimes and incidents involving a sexual element. This information is being analysed and added to the database of known sexual offenders maintained in the Trace incident room. I am informed that the examination of the original investigation files is ongoing and that currently new information is being processed and pursued. As the House is aware, searches have been carried out in a number of areas. I am further informed that a number of interviews have been conducted to date with persons who have been linked to the investigation. As the House will appreciate, in investigations such as this, progress is slow and time consuming. It is, however, felt that the operation will yield benefits. I am informed that the terms of reference of the investigation have not been expanded since its inception.
I am aware of public concern about the issue, which I share. The Garda Commissioner is doing all he can to ensure that effective arrangements are in place and the necessary resources are made available to trace those who are reported missing.
(Mayo): The initiative, Operation Trace, announced last September, has been in existence for the past nine months and has been taking a cold look at the files of a selected number of victims. Will the Minister acknowledge that while that operation is well intentioned it is getting nowhere? Will he agree that what is needed is what he promised prior to coming into Government, a specially assigned, designated and trained unit to look into the issue of missing persons? Members of the Garda Síochána require retraining and need to adopt best practice as operates in other jurisdictions. It is necessary as a matter of urgency that we acknowledge this fact and put our people into training schemes and systems that are proving effective in other jurisdictions.
I have taken a very great interest in missing persons since assuming office. I have had a number of conversations with the Garda Commissioner about what I regard as a very serious situation. The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner has taken initiatives and the question of the value of a centralised Garda national missing persons unit is kept under continuous review. I understand from the Garda Commissioner that he considers investigations of missing persons are more effective when they have the type of local focus that is achieved under present arrangements. Local officers have available to them, as required, the services of all the specialist units and manpower that are part of the overall Garda organisation structure.
The Trace unit, which is headed by an assistant commissioner, has been in operation for some time. That unit was established last year by the Garda Commissioner for the express purpose of examining a number of untraced missing persons. We have been very proactive in dealing with this very disquieting and tragic problem.
(Mayo): On a related issue, does the Minister consider it is appropriate that an apology should issue to the family of the missing Jo Jo Dullard in light of the comments in The Star some time ago? Those comments were attributed to a member of the Garda Síochána investigating the case. He is reported to have said that “the more time passes the more I believe it was suicide”. Will the Minister instruct that an apology be given to the members of the Dullard family? The pain and hurt is real enough without a member of the Garda Síochána peddling his unfounded assumption about this case.
The newspaper report in question has not been brought to my attention. I greatly regret if any comment was made that would cause distress to any family in such difficult, trying and distressing circumstances.
