Enda Kenny
Question:244 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons listed as missing; the state of the investigation into these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23383/01]
Written Answers. - Missing Persons.
With regard to the numbers of persons which the Garda Síochána took to be genuinely missing from 1990 to 1999, the last year for which published figures are available, the following is the case:
|
Year |
Number of Cases |
|
1990 |
1359 |
|
1991 |
1358 |
|
1992 |
1497 |
|
1993 |
1530 |
|
1994 |
1578 |
|
1995 |
1658 |
|
1996 |
1848 |
|
1997 |
1877 |
|
1998 |
2015 |
|
1999 |
1800 |
I am informed by Garda authorities that Operation Trace is currently reviewing a number of high profile cases and that all possible avenues of investigation are being thoroughly pursued. I am further informed that a full investigation is carried out in each case where a person is taken to be genuinely missing and that all missing persons investigations continuously remain open. The one exception to this rule is a ‘presumed drowned' case. This occurs when a coroner, under section 23 of the Coroners Act, 1962, is satisfied that a death has occurred within his or her jurisdiction and the likelihood is that no body will be recovered. In this instance the coroner can declare the person dead and the investigation is then closed.
Finally, I am informed by Garda authorities that the number of persons who were untraced at the end of each year, from 1990 to 1999, the last year for which published figures are available, is as follows:
|
Year |
Number Untraced at Year End |
|
1990 |
10 |
|
1991 |
11 |
|
1992 |
7 |
|
1993 |
9 |
|
1994 |
12 |
|
1995 |
17 |
|
1996 |
9 |
|
1997 |
3 |
|
1998 |
10 |
|
1999 |
16 |