Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 3

Written Answers. - Missing Persons.

John Browne

Question:

31 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has for any new initiatives to assist in tracing missing persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15498/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

121 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases of missing persons in respect of which the files are still open; the action if any, being taken in these cases on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15742/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 121 together.

I have spoken in the House on many occasions on this subject. As I have informed the House before, the detailed deployment of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. The present arrangements for the investigation of missing persons cases are that local Garda management take direct responsibility for the cases and that special investigation teams are appointed as necessary.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána does all in its power to locate all missing persons. On an international level, the Garda liaise with Interpol and non-Governmental organisations where there is a world-wide network to trace missing persons. The House may be interested to know that Europol can now assist in missing person's investigations and that a representative has been nominated from each member State in the European Union for assistance and liaison in cases of suspected trafficking in human beings.

In general, files on missing persons remain open until there is a conclusion to the case and each case is kept under continuous review. Many searches have taken place and further searches will be based on available information and intelligence. I am also assured that contact is maintained on a regular basis with the families of missing persons.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that each of the cases currently under review by Operation TRACE was investigated in depth by the Garda Síochána in the locality of the disappear ance and all information and leads relating to these cases is systematically analysed and followed up. As the House is aware Operation TRACE has yielded new lines of inquiries which have been pursued in conjunction with the original investigation teams. A unique database has been devised which facilitates cross referencing of detail and highlighting of similarities among the vast amount of information which has been collated. I understand that the Garda also has an Internet website for missing persons cases and that the PULSE computer system has been specifically adapted to assist in these investigations. Furthermore, I understand that a national computer dental database is currently being developed in co-operation between the Garda and the National Dental Hospital.

With regard to the number of cases in respect of which the files are still open, I am informed by the Garda authorities that all missing persons files remain open until the person is located, or in the case of a missing person who is presumed drowned, a verdict to that effect by the coroner.

As I have indicated earlier, missing persons files remain open until there is a conclusion to the case. In relation to the number of files which are still open, I understand that, taking the past five years, 1995 to 1999, there are approximately 60 files still open which relate to this period. I can assure the House that all necessary resources are being made available to the Garda to enable it to carry out these investigations. As the House will appreciate, in investigations such as this progress is slow and the investigations are time consuming.